The decision to stop providing security services for former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife and children was at the top of the headlines all week. But another Israeli public figure could very well require security detail after receiving threats: the elderly leader of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky. 

Kanievsky’s home has received threats recently from vaccine opponents, who were angered by the rabbi’s clear instruction, directing parents to vaccinate their children without delay. The rabbi issued his instruction after meeting with the health ministry, and following the ministry’s announcement on opening vaccination for children aged 5 to 11.

The threats against Kanievsky caused a huge uproar, and not just within the ultra-Orthodox community. Even Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, “Rabbi Kanievsky is under threat and insults after declaring his full support for children’s vaccines, because he thought about the public peace and the peace of his community. It’s unthinkable.” Reportedly, police were asked to intervene, although no details have been revealed about security guards assigned to the rabbi.

The rabbi’s announcement was a harsh blow to vaccine opponents. Only a week ago, a video was published online that shows the rabbi of the town of Netivot, Rabbi Shmuel Montag, trying to stop a lecture of an antivaccine activist. The rabbi explains clearly that “if the Minister of Torah [Kanievsky’s nickname in the ultra-Orthodox sector] said people must be vaccinated – a lecture that attacks his directive must not be held.”