Satmar Hasidic group: Jewish sect avoiding coronavirus lockdown
Footage has emerged of an aggressive confrontation between Elsternwick locals and a group, believed to be an ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect, accused of meeting at a school despite Stage 4 lockdown rules.
Inner South
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A video has emerged after a verbal stoush erupted in the street between locals and members believed to be from an ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect accused of meeting at an Elsternwick school despite Stage 4 lockdown rules.
The footage, uploaded to Twitter on Saturday, shows people confronting the group — believed to be the Satmar Hasidic group — leaving the Adass Israel School while the man filming tells the camera there are more than 50 people flocking from the meeting.
Another man confronts the Jewish group and asks what they are doing out at this time of the night, while the man filming labels the gathering “disgusting”.
“This is crazy,” says one of the men filming, while another exclaims “How dare they”.
A second video shows the situation escalating with a verbal argument breaking out between members of the community and those at the gathering.
One of the men from the gathering chases two of those filming the group as a man can be heard yelling.
A woman confronts one of the men from the gathering saying, “you are disgraceful” and “you are a member of this society”.
The incident comes weeks after a Leader exclusively revealed the Satmar Dasidic group had allegedly been exploiting a loophole in lockdown laws to run clandestine religious ceremonies in Ripponlea and St Kilda East.
The Jewish group were dodging restrictions that barred the running of religious ceremonies by claiming its prayer meetings were a support group.
People were seen entering centres in the area up to three times a day carrying prayer shawls and other religious paraphernalia.
According to DHHS, “essential support groups such as drug and alcohol support groups” can continue to operate under the tougher Stage 4 restrictions provided they have a COVID-safe plan and enough room to allow for one person per four square metres.
However, religious ceremonies are not allowed.
Leader also revealed at least two of the group’s members allegedly did not quarantine after returning from New York at the height of the first coronavirus outbreak in March.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said under second step of the road map out of restrictions, religious gatherings and ceremonies were allowed outside, next to a place of worship, and with up to five people plus one faith leader.
The spokesperson said Melburnians were only able to attend religious gatherings within 5km of their homes.
“There are no current exemptions to these restrictions which are in force to ensure the number of cases continues to decline and that we continue to reduce the risk of outbreaks,” they said.
“We thank every Victorian who has played their part in bringing these numbers down and for their patience as we work towards further easing of restrictions.”
They did not respond to questions on whether the incident was being investigated or if anyone would face fines.
Police and the DHHS have been contacted for comment.
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