Despite lack of evidence, conspiracy theories advanced by politicians and commentators on the Left and Right seek to argue that protests were organized by professionals to destabilize the US.

“It is inconceivable that precisely this government will determine facts on the ground that would abolish Israeli [rule] on settlements that were already uprooted,” Yossi Dagan said.

The noted Modern Orthodox rabbi, author and communal leader had just lost his wife to COVID-19 a month earlier.

‘We were up very late trying to figure it out’

Ghidalia said there are two issues at stake: “One is the local – what people feel is a senseless death [of George Floyd]. The second is national – people are starting to protest.

"We will keep the rules and with God's help they will keep us," Netanyahu said.

"It's heartbreaking, just heartbreaking. We are on our own to protect our businesses. We don't have a choice."

Education Minister Yoav Gallant decided to keep schools open despite the spike in coronavirus cases found among students and staff alike.