At least 400 people attended the wedding of the grandson of the late rabbi Yoram Abergel from the town of Netivot, Democrat TV and Channel 12 news reported.
The tent was built between greenhouses in a farming area, apparently in an attempt to hold the event without police intervention. However, the many buses and cars streaming to the area and text messages sent to the participants appeared to have given the location away.
Police forces arrived shortly after the event began — but after the chuppah ceremony — dispersed the crowd, and handed dozens of fines.
Some of the guests attempted to flee through the fields, the reports said. The rush also caused a traffic accident, with no casualties, that caused the local road to be blocked for some time.
Police commander Noam Kaiser called on the public to adhere to the Health Ministry rules banning large gatherings, since violations “disrupt the national fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
“The Israel Police will continue to work with the other authorities and enforcement bodies to stop the spread of the virus,” he said.
Last month saw violent clashes between police in Bnei Brak as protesters opposing lockdown regulations rioted in the city, including setting fire to a bus.
On Sunday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz lambasted the government’s “fake lockdown” and “unequal enforcement” as the Knesset passed a bill stepping up enforcement of the lockdown by doubling fines for violators.
