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Aryeh Deri
Police set up a temporary roadblock on Menachem Begin Street in Tel Aviv to enforce a coronavirus lockdown, on September 23, 2020. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
September 24, 2020, 9:44 am
Cabinet approves near-total national shutdown to stem runaway infection rate
Ministers limit holiday prayer gatherings and demonstrations, close ‘nonessential’ businesses ; finance minister decries new closure’s ‘critical’ harm to the economy
By TOI staff
A protester holds a sign depicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a protest a against him outside his residence in Jerusalem, July 31, 2020. (AP/Oded Balilty)
September 23, 2020, 2:04 pm
As PM seeks ‘tighter’ lockdown, Gantz says he’ll back limits on protests, prayer
Cabinet to discuss harsh new measures with daily infections swelling to almost 7,000; defense minister says health and security as sacred as right to demonstrate and worship
By TOI staff
Medical staff at the coronavirus ward of the Kaplan Medical Center, in Rehovot, on September 22, 2020 (Yossi Zeliger/Flash90)
September 23, 2020, 8:58 am
Virus surges to almost 7,000 daily cases as cabinet meets on tightening closure
Gamzu says public still not fully cooperating; testing hits almost 60,000 Tuesday; deputy health minister expects indoor prayer to stop, no inter-city travel for protests
By TOI staff
Police arrest a man who drove toward police and demonstrators during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outside the PM's official residence in Jerusalem, on September 20, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 22, 2020, 11:41 pm
Cabinet delays decision on new virus rules as Netanyahu pans protest ‘farce’
Ministers adjourn meeting without compromise on limiting mass demonstrations, synagogues; Haredi minister threatens to resign if restrictions placed on prayer but not on protests
By TOI staff
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri in the Knesset building, on March 3, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 22, 2020, 7:50 pm
Deri said to back closing synagogues, but only if demonstrations canceled too
Interior minister reportedly warns ultra-Orthodox ready to ‘revolt’ over perceived unfairness of COVID-19 rules, as cabinet clashes on proposals to further tighten lockdown
By TOI staff
Newly appointed housing minister and former health minister Yaakov Litzman, at his installation ceremony at the Housing Ministry in Jerusalem on May 18, 2020. (Olivier FitoussiFlash90)
September 13, 2020, 12:35 pm
Housing Minister Litzman resigns in protest of looming holiday lockdown
Ultra-Orthodox former health minister accuses government of failing to act earlier and deliberately picking Rosh Hashanah as the start date of closure
By TOI staff
Police at a temporary checkpoint on Route 1 outside Jerusalem on April 9, 2020 (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
September 13, 2020, 8:44 am
Cabinet meets to discuss nationwide lockdown, as minister threatens to resign
Health Ministry has vowed to oppose any change to planned stringent restrictions over High Holidays, as some ministers oppose it and Litzman says he’ll step down if it passes
By TOI staff
Magen David Adom medical workers test Israelis at a drive-through site to collect samples for coronavirus testing in Jerusalem on September 8, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 8, 2020, 3:49 pm
Municipalities cry foul over curfews, settlement vows to ignore rules
Jerusalem mayor claims figures for city are wrong; deputy minister rages that ultra-Orthodox cities given more sweeping restrictions than others
By TOI staff
Illustrative -- Police at a checkpoint located on the edge of the predominantly ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak on April 3, 2020 (Gili Yaari /Flash90)
September 6, 2020, 9:53 am
Ministers expected to approve lockdown on 8-10 high infection areas
Bnei Brak, Elad, Tira, Umm al-Fahm, Kafr Qassem said among localities slated for sweeping measures; police increase presence in red zones; 9.8% of tests on Saturday were positive
By TOI staff
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri in the Knesset building, on March 3, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 6, 2020, 5:30 am
Interior minister says only nationwide lockdown can stem virus spread
Shas’s Aryeh Deri blasts plan to declare local closures in ‘red’ areas, many of which are heavily ultra-Orthodox
By TOI staff
Rabbi Shai Ohayon, who was stabbed to death in an apparent terror attack at Segula Junction on August 26, 2020, at the circumcision of his son with Rabbi Ovadya Yosef (right). (Courtesy)
August 26, 2020, 9:44 pm
‘He was a holy man’: Friends, family mourn stabbing victim Rabbi Shai Ohayon
Study partner says 39-year-old father of four’s religious lessons were known to give people goosebumps; he worked to support his family when studying for ordination
By TOI staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on August 25, 2020. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)
August 26, 2020, 7:25 pm
Netanyahu vows to raze Palestinian suspect’s home after fatal attack
Prime minister says he will ‘seek most severe punishment’ for alleged killer of Shai Ohayon; Lapid: ‘The fight against terrorism continues’
By TOI staff
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (C), then-health minister Yaakov Litzman (L) and United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni attend the third annual Shas conference at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem on February 16, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 6, 2020, 9:16 pm
Haredi party leaders urge Netanyahu, Gantz to pass budget, avoid early elections
Shas and UTJ chiefs say it would be ‘complete madness’ to hold vote amid pandemic, accompanying economic crisis; don’t specify if they back budget for rest of year or through 2021
By TOI staff
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men study in small groups at the Imrei Emes yeshiva of the Gur (Hasidic dynasty) in the city of Bnei Brak, June 16, 2020. (Yossi Zeliger/Flash90)
August 5, 2020, 11:40 am
Netanyahu said offering NIS 400m for ultra-Orthodox yeshivas amid election talk
TV news says move intended to smooth over Haredi objections to dissolving unity government and holding another round of voting; Prime Minister’s Office denies claim
By TOI staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center), Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (right) and then-health minister Yaakov Litzman (left) attend a conference in Lod on November 20, 2016. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
August 4, 2020, 11:53 am
Ultra-Orthodox parties said threatening not to back Netanyahu if election called
After urging Likud and Blue and White to compromise in standoff over budget, UTJ lawmaker says party will oppose any move that would trigger 4th Knesset vote in under 2 years
By TOI staff
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