Israeli police clash with ultra-Orthodox protesters over school lockdown

Israeli police officers clash with ultra-Orthodox Jews in Ashdod, Israel, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators clashed with Israeli police officers dispatched to close schools in Jerusalem and Ashdod that had opened in violation of coronavirus lockdown rules, on Sunday. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators have clashed with police in two major Israeli cities, as authorities faced new difficulties in enforcing coronavirus restrictions in the country’s religious communities.

The clashes occurred in Jerusalem and Ashdod as police attempted to close religious schools that had opened in violation of lockdown orders.