Health Minister Yaakov Litzman is pushing to okay the burial of Diaspora Jews who die from the coronavirus in Israel, despite opposition from his own office, the Kan public broadcaster reports.
Some religious Jews believe it is an honor to be buried in Israel and arrange to have their bodies interred there after death.
Illustrative: Undertakers carry a coffin for a burial at a Barcelona cemetery during the coronavirus outbreak, Spain, Friday, March 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
But Health Ministry officials say allowing the bodies to be buried here could pose a health risk. Experts believe the virus continues to live after host bodies pass away, leading some Jewish leaders to even urge cremation, usually forbidden in Jewish tradition.
Orthodox communities in New York, London and elsewhere have been especially hard hit by the virus.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
