Blue and White reiterates ultimatum after police allow thousands to attend funeral for ultra-Orthodox rabbi, ahead of Knesset vote on enforcement and cabinet decision on lockdown

Ultra-Orthodox lawmakers skip meeting in protest; final parliamentary votes on legislation expected next week; Blue and White insists it won't extend lockdown until it passes

Netanyahu says Israel will extend lockdown and closure of Ben Gurion Airport beyond Sunday deadline to keep virus variants out of country

Meanwhile, Russia says it is Washington that must remove sanctions and return to the accord before Tehran resumes compliance

After series of violent incidents, including torching of bus in Bnei Brak, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef says perpetrators are a minority 'tarnishing the name of the entire Haredi public'

Diaspora Affairs Ministry report says attacks down due to lockdown, but anti-Jewish sentiment could proliferate in 2021 as conspiracists say Jews caused virus, to profit from chaos

TV says PM also seeking to limit outgoing flights to those already vaccinated; Hasidic rabbi calls for reopening ultra-Orthodox schools on Sunday

In meeting with representatives of battered industry, PM lays down rules for reopening, including capping attendance and requiring a 'green passport' to enter

New research comes as spread of more transmissible UK strain raises global concerns, with top Israeli health official saying it accounts for 30-40% of new cases in country

Nachman Ash said to tell Health Ministry officials that it's not certain vaccines can protect against mutated coronavirus strains; cabinet to discuss extending tightened lockdown