Israeli Health Minister Yaakov Litzman said Monday that residents of haredi-dominated localities are being treated in a “discriminatory and degrading” manner as the coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread quickly in ultra-Orthodox communities, Ynet reported.
Litzman, who was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 himself, made his remarks after the city of Ramat Gan put up barricades along its border with the haredi city of Bnei Brak, which has a high infection rate and is under a government lockdown.
“I urge the mayor of Ramat Gan to avoid meddling and creating friction between the populations [of the two neighboring cities]. The residents of Bnei Brak and the entire ultra-Orthodox population should not be discriminated against,” said Litzman.
Bnei Brak city workers have begun taking down the fence.
The interior ministry has ordered that the fence be taken down.