Ultra-Orthodox Israel's insularity is well-known. Less familiar: its paternalism. Case in point: Haredi corona patients were sent to special hotels to isolate, so they could eat/pray/study together, approximating life as it was.
But the hotel rooms had TVs!
But the hotel rooms had TVs!
So on Sunday, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, leader of an ultra-Orthodox party, prevailed on Defense Minister Naftali Bennett to order the TVs disconnected, saying some rabbis had actually told patients to leave isolation over this. (h/t @yaircherki)
But some patients complained.
But some patients complained.
So on Monday, Bennett ordered the TVs hooked back up, citing "personal choice," etc.
But not before Deri declared that Haredim who want to watch TV should move to corona hotels for non-ultra-Orthodox Israelis. Message is clear: Watching TV makes you no longer "one of us."
But not before Deri declared that Haredim who want to watch TV should move to corona hotels for non-ultra-Orthodox Israelis. Message is clear: Watching TV makes you no longer "one of us."
