The hermetic closure will go into effect today (Friday) at 2:00 PM, but the Knesset is still discussing the nature of the closure. At the center of the discussion: limiting demonstrations and prayers.
As it appears, the law that will reduce the possibility of demonstrations during the lockdown period will not pass today, but the lockdown will go into effect at 2:00 PM in any case, because the tightening of the lockdown was approved in regulations and therefore does not require the approval of the plenum, but limiting gatherings for demonstrations and prayers requires legislation, which is unlikely to be completed today.
Coalition Chairman MK Miki Zohar attacked the opposition, which is delaying the vote on the law that would prevent demonstrations during the lockdown period.
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'"The opposition has decided to prevent us from passing the law that will prevent protests during the lockdown period," said Zohar. "After 61 people died yesterday and after nearly 7,500 new cases were discovered today, the opposition continues to promote anarchy through protests in the country so that the virus will continue to spread. We will not be able to enforce the lockdown in the coming days. The virus will run rampant.".
According to Zohar, "In light of the opposition's conduct, which allows for demonstrations, the second Yom Kippur War is imminent. The spread of the virus will be unprecedented.".
The Likud is exploring the possibility of limiting the demonstrations through emergency regulations, but Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is expected to oppose it.
The Blue and White faction also opposes restricting demonstrations through emergency regulations as Netanyahu demands, thereby encouraging anarchy.
Against the backdrop of the delay in advancing the lockdown legislation, Defense Minister Benny Gantz wrote to Blue and White MKs: "The decision on the strict lockdown is intended to curb the pandemic and not block demonstrations or prayers. We will continue to promote comprehensive legislation within the framework of democratic rules, and we will avoid using emergency regulations that focus only on demonstrations, prayers, or any other issue.".
Meanwhile, the Constitution Committee is expected to approve for the first time in Israel the right to restrict demonstrations and prayers during a special state of emergency. After pressure from the committee's chairman, Asher, it will not be possible to ban them completely, but only to restrict them.
