Minister Deri to Coordinate Coronavirus Response in Chareidi, Arab Sectors

Minister of the Interior Rabbi Aryeh Deri has been appointed coordinator of the government’s response to the coronavirus crisis in the chareidi and Arab sectors, which have been the hardest-hit in the country.

The appointment followed a letter from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu‏‏ and Health Minister Yaakov Litzman asking Rabbi Deri to assume the responsibility.

Rabbi Deri accepted the appointment and went to work immediately. One of his first actions was to order the location of a treatment center for those affected by the virus, in order to remove them from the general population.

In addition, Rabbi Deri stressed that all the Gedolei Haposkim have stated that everyone must heed the orders of the Health Ministry during the crisis, and noted that the Rabbanim have been authorized to deal severely with individuals who flaunt the restrictions.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Rabbi Yaakov Litzman urged that the city of Bnei Brak be placed under lockdown due to the alarming spread of coronavirus in the city.

According to Channel 12, he has pledged that he will obtain the support for the move from the city’s Rabbis and the mayor.