Israel has passed a controversial new law which allows the government to order new restrictions to deal with the coronavirus with limited parliamentary oversight.

The new “Grand Corona Law” will enable the cabinet to impose restrictions it sees as urgent – such as a new lockdown – allowing parliament to review such decisions only after 24 hours.

It’s been criticised by opposition figures who say it undermines democracy. The government says it needs to streamline its authority to deal with the crisis.
In recent weeks, Israel has been recording more than a thousand new coronavirus cases a day and unemployment has reached a record-high.

There’s been growing public anger at last-minute decisions on shut-downs and delays in economic support. Thousands of people have turned out for protests, some calling for the prime minister to resign.