Israel's ultra-Orthodox reject criticism, defy virus rules

File - In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 file photo, Israeli police officers clash with ultra-Orthodox Jews in Ashdod, Israel. 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, File)

File - In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 file photo, Israeli police officers clash with ultra-Orthodox Jews in Ashdod, Israel,. 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, File)

File - In this Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 file photo, thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews participate in funeral for prominent rabbi Meshulam Soloveitchik, in Jerusalem. The mass ceremony took place despite the country's health regulations banning large public gatherings, during a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)

File - In this Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 file photo, thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews participate in funeral for prominent rabbi Meshulam Soloveitchik, in Jerusalem. The mass ceremony took place despite the country's health regulations banning large public gatherings, during a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)

File - In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 file photo, Ultra-Orthodox Jews argue with Israeli border police officers during a protest over the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, in Ashdod, Israel. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty, File)