159 complaints were filed in the government unit to coordinate the fight against racism in mid-March, 131 of which dealt with incitement against the ultra-Orthodox sector

Since the government's emergency regulations were approved in the last half of March, 159 government complaints have been received in the government unit to coordinate the fight against racism, the great majority (131) dealing with incitement and racism towards the ultra-Orthodox public. Of the complaints about incitement towards ultra-Orthodox, more than 120 were received following the statements of the journalist Rina Matzlih from the news company, which raised many in the ultra-Orthodox public in general and in general.

Home Front Command assists residents in Bnei Brak // Photo: Paz Bar

By comparison, the number of complaints filed in the unit during the same period last year (mid-March-early April) was 48, and moreover, the complaints alleging incitement and racism against ultra-Orthodox in the past three weeks are five times the number of complaints filed in this matter to the government unit to coordinate the fight against racism in 2019 (25 complaints).

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Two of the complaints were submitted to the unit by two residents of Bnei Brak (each separately), who claimed they were discriminated against because of their affiliation with the ultra-Orthodox community when they sought to purchase eggs at the egg sale complex of a recognized retail company in Kfar Saba. The two appeals were turned over to legal aid at the DOJ to examine the possibility of representing them in a legal process with the egg marketing company.

In a letter written by Attorney Bryan Abu Qaud of Tel Aviv District of Legal Aid, she noted that there were concerns about discrimination by company employees because of religious group affiliation, in violation of the Prohibition of Discrimination Act on products, services and public places.

According to Attorney Awaka Zena, head of the government unit for coordinating the fight against racism in the Justice Ministry, "Unfortunately, a discourse of hatred and humiliation has developed for the ultra-Orthodox public."

Advocate Merav Shivak of Legal Aid said: "The Corona virus strikes us all indiscriminately between religion, race or gender, and in doing so, it teaches us that there is no basis in routine or emergency, to discriminate between people."