The Knesset (Israeli parliament) plenum approved on Sunday a bill doubling fines for individuals flouting pandemic restrictions.
The fines for violation of health ministry rules imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 went up from 5,000 to 10,000 shekels after the bill passed in the third and final reading with 37 parliamentarians in favor and 18 against.
The vote paves the way to extend Israel’s third national lockdown, entering its fourth week, as it’s scheduled to expire just after midnight without government action.
Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party, had threatened last week to scuttle the extension if fines were not raised against lockdown violators in a move understood to be targeting certain sections of the ultra-Orthodox community.
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{Matzav.com}
