Some people are simply more equal than others in any society. Israel is no different, one pundit wrote in a biting analysis, quoting Channel 12 news statistics that fines are being handed out unevenly for those who break the regulations. For example, in the largely secular city of Tel Aviv 3.5 fines per 1,000 were handed out to those breaking quarantine once tested positive for Covid-19. However, in the near-by ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak only 0.3 fines were handed out.
According to the Israel ministry of health, 25% of all new patients in the hospital come from the haredi, ultra-Orthodox, population. Last week, according to the ministry, 23% of the infections came from the haredi neighborhoods, with 64% of the haredi community infected, while haredim only make up 12% of Israel’s population.
A steady stream of Covid-19 infections seemingly undeterred by the vaccination campaign.
The infection rate in Israel is still high, running at nearly 8,000 infections in 24 hours. That was over 9% of those tested showing positive for the virus.
Israel, #27 in infections in the world, has 672,324 infections, at 73,098 per million, with 4,975 deaths at 541 per million, with 1,120 critical cases and 77,732 active cases, with nearly 300 on ventilators. The USA was still #1 with 27,155,394 cases, at 81,755 per million, with 462,022 deaths ad 1,391 per million, with 23,449 critical cases and 9,784,823 active cases. Worldwide there were 105,029,776 confirmed cases at 13,458 per million, with 2,281,471 deaths at 292 per million, with 106,355 in critical condition and 26,036,189 active cases.
Meanwhile, the rush to receive a vaccination seems to have abated. The health ministry has now opened up to vaccinations for anyone over 16. This, according to a health ministry statement, includes non-residents. So far, between 70-80% of the population over 60 has been vaccinated. But there has been a 252% increase in infections of those under 40. The number of infections among babies and infants quadrupled in December, to 1526, with only 377 in November. But most are asymptomatic. One 18-month old infant was in serious condition and attached to a ventilator.
However, Channel 12 health analyst, Prof. Uri Barabash, worried that 500,000 Israelis over 50 have not yet been vaccinated. The highly contagious “British” variant of the disease is the most prominent in Israel. Should that at risk over 50 group get infected they could overwhelm the already over-crowded and over-worked hospitals. According to an early study in Britain, the Pfizer, Moderna, and other RNA vaccines work against this ‘British variant,’ protecting those vaccinated from a serious case of Covid-19.
Barabash suggested that mobile vans with a health staff visit factories and neighborhoods bringing the vaccines to the people who for whatever reason are not coming to the HMO for vaccinations. He said these vans could be equipped to handle the vaccine and keep them safe. The problem, said Barabash, was bureaucratic. Each health fund was responsible for vaccinating their members. A mobile unit showing up at a factory would create a problem for the health funds whose data was all very carefully and precisely monitored as an innoculation was administered. He thought the health ministry had to step in and solve the problem.
Israel is still running an ad campaign stressing the importance of the vaccinations, though many in the haredi community have stayed away. Some observers say that the haredi community’s ignoring the Israeli regulations is driving a deep wedge between the regular Israeli population and their haredi cousins.
The fact that two haredi funerals were held last week, one with an estimated 10,000 mourners crowded together, many without masks, following the casket down the streets of Jerusalem to the cemetery on Har HaMenuchot (mountain of rest), the other with several thousand along the same route, will ultimately result in a spike in infections in the ultra-Orthodox community. Those infected will spread the infection to others and it will ultimately seep into the non-religious community.
Israel is still officially in a “lockdown” scheduled to last several more days, with shops, schools restaurants and bars closed, fast-food only by phone-in order for delivery, while the airport and border are also closed. Elections only a month and a half away, the fourth elections in two years. Some of the parties are running on a campaign to exclude the ultra-Orthodox parties from being a part of the next government. Media analysts say that Netanyahu, who relies on those parties to stay in power, may be brought down by his close association with these ultra-Orthodox parties.
These analysts also point to the disparity with which the government applies penalties and pressure on the secular segment of Israel compared to the ultra-Orthodox. For example, the police did not interfere in the mass ultra-Orthodox funerals, but when protesters gather in front on Netanyahu’s home, or in Tel Aviv protesting what they claim is a corrupt Prime Minister (some signs call him the ‘Crime Minister), these anti-Netanyahu protesters are met with a forceful police presence including water canons, batons, and arrests.
The fact that the ultra-Orthodox are also not showing up for vaccines has a negative impact on the quantity of vaccines in Israel’s possession. Thousands of doses of the vaccine are tossed in the garbage at the end of the day because not enough people show up to get the vaccinations. Again, many of these are ultra-Orthodox. And the problem is not limited to Israel. Last night, Channel 13 news showed an ultra-Orthodox community in London’s Stamford Hill neighborhood with an extremely high Covid-19 infection rate, especially compared to the general population. The ultra-Orthodox in that neighborhood were shown ignoring health regulations much as they do in Israel. Of course, there are still those in New York City who were Trump supporters and proudly refused to wear a mask even as the Covid-19 tore through their neighborhoods.
Schools across Israel are shuttered, except for special education, but not in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. When the police attempted to close those schools illegally open they have are met with violent resistance, including rocks, resulting in injured policemen. Some of the schools try a clever ploy and tell the police they have permission to stay open since they’re running a school with special education students. One TV report showed the students fleeing a back entrance when the police raided. However, critics say the police raid these schools only rarely, and then only after public pressure, like news reports showing how the schools ignore the health regulations.
According to reports, the rabbis who hold sway over these communities have issued rulings to obey the rules, get vaccinated, and close the schools. However, skeptics say that these rabbis are not really putting their full influence behind these efforts. As one resident of Benei Brak said of 92-year old Rav Kamievsky, ‘He is the boss. What he says everyone does.’ ‘So why doesn’t he give the order to obey the rules?’ asked a commentator.
Prime Minister Netanyahu was asked why he doesn’t approach the rabbi, and the other ultra-Orthodox leaders, and demand they obey the rules. Netanyahu answered the question on TV last week. He said he called Rabbi Kanievsky and could only speak to his grandson who handles the calls. He never reached the rabbi himself. Critics say that was a lame excuse. The Prime Minister could have the rabbi arrested, or at least brought to him, or demanded to see the rabbi in person. But, say the critics, that would endanger Netanyahu’s standing with the ultra-Orthodox and he needs their support in the next election.
So, Israel is divided, unhealthily. The law-abiding citizens who are also worried about their health, and the ultra-Orthodox who answer to a higher power, who live in Israel but obey a different set of rules and rulers. Should this situation not change, the future looks more like the Sedducees and the Pharisees than anything else.
