Thousands of haredim (Orthodox Jews) in Jerusalem, in violation of all anti Covid regulations, at the funeral of an influential rabbi who died precisely due to the fatal outcome of this disease.
Rabbi Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik, head of the 'Brisk' religious school, died at the age of 99 after contracting the infection in recent months.
The funeral started from his home at 11 (local time) for a city cemetery where the burial will take place in the early afternoon, probably with the arrival of other followers of Soloveitchik.
According to media reports, police said they prevented hundreds of others from attending the funeral by blocking cars and buses heading for the ceremony outside the city.
A police spokesman, quoted by Haaretz, admitted that officers are unable to enforce anti-Covid restrictions in the face of such a turnout.
"I don't want to go and confront 20,000 people - explained spokesman Shabtai Gerberchik - for the simple fact that I am not able".
Deputy Minister of Health Yoav Kisch denounced that "that funeral will cause more funerals".