H eadlines
ISRAELBRIEFS Only Six Die in Israel from COVID-19 in June
ALTHOUGH COVID-19 CASES are on the rise in Israel,
the nation reported its least deadly month since the pandemic
started, The Jerusalem Post reported. Just six people died from
the virus in June.

But, as of July 1, there were about 2,000 active cases in the
country, compared to fewer than 200 in the early part of June.

Still, the number of cases considered serious had only climbed
to 29 on June 30, just above the recent low of 21 recorded on
June 19.

Only 0.6% of the 60,000 tests processed on June 30 were
positive, which is an increase from the positive rate of not more
than 0.2% that Israel recorded for several weeks in May and early
June. That’s still well below the positive rate at the peak of the
pandemic, when it topped 10%.

Mount Meron Site Demolitions Concern Victims’ Families
Demolition underway at the Mount Meron holy site where 45
men and boys died in a crowd crush during Lag B’Omer festiv-
ities is concerning to the victims of the families, The Jerusalem
Post reported.

Those families worry that the state commission of inquiry’s
report will be compromised by “changing facts on the grounds
at the site,” the Post reported.

The orders of demolition were posted at the site on June 20 —
the same day the committee was approved by the government.

A spokesman for the Forum of Families of Meron Victims
said the families were worried that the demolition orders would
cover up evidence regarding the disaster’s causes.

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First All-female Tank Crew Set for Egyptian Border
An Israel Defense Forces tank entirely staffed by female soldiers,
which includes a female commander, will be sent to the Egyptian
border for the first time ever, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing
KAN news.

The Post reported that the IDF remains uncertain whether
the latest pilot program to integrate women into the Armored
Corps is successful. The program is expected to conclude next
year, with a decision made then about the future of women in
tanks. A poll earlier this year by Geocartography Knowledge showed
that more that 70% surveyed supported women in combat roles,
while just 11% said women shouldn’t be a part of the IDF in any
capacity. Domestic Violence Complaints in Israel Rise 800% in
Coronavirus Era
State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman said domestic violence
complaints have soared by 800% since the pandemic began, The
Jerusalem Post reported.

Those numbers included 13 women killed by their partners in
2020, an increase of 160% from a year earlier.

Englman’s report said there was a 26% increase in requests
for help to welfare centers and shelters from domestic violence
victims, while police opened 22% more domestic violence cases.

“These notable increases highlight how crucial it is to increase
the activities of social welfare services for preventing the phenom-
enon, locating families which are trapped in a cycle of violence
and providing support and assistance both to victims of violence
and toward rehabilitating violent men,” the comptroller said. l
— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT
JULY 8, 2021
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