Israel extends coronavirus lockdown as Orthodox Jews breach regulations to attend rabbi funerals

Israel has extended a national coronavirus lockdown after a pair of mass funerals in breach of restrictions highlighted the nation’s challenges in controlling the pandemic.

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews attended the Jerusalem funerals of two prominent rabbis who died of COVID-19, drawing criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition partners.

Mr Netanyahu’s Cabinet voted to prolong the five-week lockdown until Friday, with a separate ban on international flights to remain in place until Sunday, his office said in a…