Israeli police arrest over 300 at shrine gathering

Despite ban on public gatherings of more than 20 people due to the virus pandemic, thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis marked the holiday in Jerusalem with large assemblies. Around 70% of the country's more than 16,500 confirmed cases are ultra-Orthodox, who make up around 12% of Israel's population.

Mount Meron: Israeli police on Tuesday arrested over 300 people as officers attempted to control crowds that had assembled at a religious site in violation of coronavirus restrictions.

Police said that despite regulations against large assemblies at Mount Meron and police checkpoints on roads near the site, hundreds of religious Jews turned up and some "threw stones and other objects at police officers at the scene".

Jews observed the holiday of Lag B'Omer, on which ultra-Orthodox Jews customarily gather at the tomb of a prominent rabbi in antiquity on Mount Meron.

Celebrations are typically marked with enormous crowds, dancing and the lighting of bonfires.

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis marked the holiday in Jerusalem with large assemblies despite bans on public gatherings of more than 20 people due to the virus pandemic.

Israel's ultra-Orthodox community has been hit especially hard by the coronavirus outbreak.

Earlier this week, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said that around 70% of the country's more than 16,500 confirmed cases were ultra-Orthodox, who make up around 12% of Israel's population.

Israel has reported 260 deaths from COVID-19. More than half of those infected in Israel have recovered.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

AP