Poll: 78% of Haredim back health rules, but 60% broke them to send kids to school

A new poll shows 78 percent of ultra-Orthodox Israelis believe there is great or moderate importance to adhering to the Health Ministry’s instructions during the pandemic.

The Haredi community has been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. Though many Haredim keep to the guidelines, certain sectors of the community have repeatedly flaunted restrictions.

The survey by the Askaria research firm also shows 60% sent their children to Torah-teaching schools that opened against health regulations during the pandemic.

Of the remaining 40%, most did not send their children to school because the institutions were closed, rather than a conviction to keep to the guidelines.

A group of ultra-Orthodox men wears protective face masks following government measures to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, as they walk in Jerusalem’s Old City, July 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

One in five respondents says they have tested positive for coronavirus.

The poll questioned 500 people representative of the Haredi population in Israel and had a margin of error of 4.4%.