Thousands attend Jerusalem funeral for Haredi rabbi in violation of virus rules

Thousands of people in Jerusalem attend the funeral of a prominent ultra-Orthodox rabbi, violating coronavirus limitations on mass gatherings.

Representatives of the Mir Yeshiva reached an agreement with police to observe Health Ministry guidelines during the funeral for Rabbi Aharon Hadash, according to Channel 12 news, but participants are packed closely together with little apparent social distancing.

Funerals are currently limited to 20 people under government-mandated restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Minor scuffles break out as police try to block mourners taking part in the funeral procession from advancing beyond the Kikar Hashabat intersection in Jerusalem, according to the Kan public broadcaster.

עימותים בין שוטרים לאבלים במסע לווייתו של הרב אהרן חדש בירושלים@SuleimanMas1 pic.twitter.com/LxO2RxLuTL

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) December 3, 2020