300 Israelis arrested for defying coronavirus ban on Jewish holiday

Hundreds of people in Israel's ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods ignored a ban on large gatherings to celebrate a minor Jewish holiday known as Lag B’Omer.
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - MAY 15: (ISRAEL OUT) Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the festival of Lag b'Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer, May 15, 2006 in their religious neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, Israel. Lag b'Omer, the one day of celebration that breaks a 50-day semi-mourning period of the Omer between the festivals of Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot, is marked by singing and dancing around joyous bonfires. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the festival of Lag b'Omer May 15, 2006 in the neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, Israel. - Uriel Sinai/Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Police in Israel have arrested more than 300 people who defied a ban on large gatherings to celebrate a minor Jewish holiday Monday night. 

Those arrested were observing Lag B’Omer, which ulta-Orthadox Jews customarily celebrate with bonfires, parades and potato roasting. 

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