Interior Minister Aryeh Deri tells Channel 12 news that the government is considering imposing a general lockdown on Israel during the first night of Passover, which begins Wednesday evening.

Deri calls on Israelis to prepare for this potential closure and says anyone driving that evening will have to give an explanation for why they are out.

“The public has to prepare for that. Those who go out on the holiday evening will have to obey the police and return to their homes,” Deri told Channel 12 News.

Deri disputed the allegations made against Health Minister Yaakov Litzman’s conduct, ”My heart aches for the character assassination against Minister Litzman. Everyone is proud of the State of Israel which is safer than many countries thanks to Litzman’s decision to stop all flights from China when everyone was surprised.”

“He deserves thanks for what he’s done in the Health Ministry. Enough with this persecution,” Deri said.

Kan 11 reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel’s ministers will discuss additional traffic restrictions on some haredi cities and neighborhoods across the country.

He also says under new restrictions on movement that are expected to be introduced in a number of areas with high rates of infections, Jerusalem will be divided into eight regions, with residents only allowed to shop within the borders of the regions.

Ministers Deri and Litzman reportedly objected to the move. Deri opposed the closure of the Elad and Modi’in Illit communities, and also opposed the possibility of imposing restrictions on neighborhoods in Jerusalem.

Header: Police officers in protective gear stand on Route 1 near Jerusalem on April 5, 2020, after a man infected with the coronavirus was arrested on a bus traveling to the city. (Flash90)