7 mar 2020
Netanyahu said he will enlist youth and military to assist in disinfection efforts in public places including buses and trains, considering extending the school Purim holiday while the Air Force will be tasked with ensuring supply of vital materials including medicine
The Health Ministry confirmed four new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the total to 25.
Twenty people are hospitalized with the virus, including a 38-year-old East Jerusalem man in serious condition after driving a group of Greek pilgrims who were infected.
A woman who had come into contact with the Greek pilgrim group is also now confirmed to have contracted the virus.
A 50-year-old man who recently visited Barcelona is among the newly confirmed cases and is now hospitalized with mild symptoms.
A Tel Aviv resident who returned from Italy has been quarantined according to Health Ministry guidelines and left his home only to vote at a designated polling station on March 2.
The fourth new confirmed patient is a man who recently returned from Spain and is from central Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he intends to enlist school children and IDF soldiers to assist in disinfecting public places in order to mitigate the chances of the virus spreading.
"The pandemic does not affect children or teens, thank God," he said. “We have to disinfect public spaces… buses, trains and the like."
Youth movements responded positively to the prime minister's call with some already announcing they will join the efforts.
Netanyahu said he was considering extending the Purim school break and will tap the military to help in the efforts, including the Air Force that will be asked to ensure the supply of vital materials such as medicine is transported to Israel.
"Israel is almost in the best possible state of preparedness because of our strict policies so we have things under control and intend to keep them that way," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister said there is a rise in cases in the past 48 hours and the rate of infection is probably faster than previously thought.
“I've spoken to world leaders and initiated a conference call for later in the week do see how countries can help each other in this world-wide pandemic," Netanyahu added.
Netanyahu also said he will open a line of credit for businesses that are suffering and will enlist the best minds in Israel to find a way for mass examinations that will help separate the sick from those who are well and can continue to preserve Israel's economy.
The Health Ministry confirmed four new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the total to 25.
Twenty people are hospitalized with the virus, including a 38-year-old East Jerusalem man in serious condition after driving a group of Greek pilgrims who were infected.
A woman who had come into contact with the Greek pilgrim group is also now confirmed to have contracted the virus.
A 50-year-old man who recently visited Barcelona is among the newly confirmed cases and is now hospitalized with mild symptoms.
A Tel Aviv resident who returned from Italy has been quarantined according to Health Ministry guidelines and left his home only to vote at a designated polling station on March 2.
The fourth new confirmed patient is a man who recently returned from Spain and is from central Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he intends to enlist school children and IDF soldiers to assist in disinfecting public places in order to mitigate the chances of the virus spreading.
"The pandemic does not affect children or teens, thank God," he said. “We have to disinfect public spaces… buses, trains and the like."
Youth movements responded positively to the prime minister's call with some already announcing they will join the efforts.
Netanyahu said he was considering extending the Purim school break and will tap the military to help in the efforts, including the Air Force that will be asked to ensure the supply of vital materials such as medicine is transported to Israel.
"Israel is almost in the best possible state of preparedness because of our strict policies so we have things under control and intend to keep them that way," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister said there is a rise in cases in the past 48 hours and the rate of infection is probably faster than previously thought.
“I've spoken to world leaders and initiated a conference call for later in the week do see how countries can help each other in this world-wide pandemic," Netanyahu added.
Netanyahu also said he will open a line of credit for businesses that are suffering and will enlist the best minds in Israel to find a way for mass examinations that will help separate the sick from those who are well and can continue to preserve Israel's economy.
Government official says Health Ministry pushing behind the scenes to have United States added to the roster of quarantine nations, but move delayed for fear of compromising ties with Washington, concern over Trump administration response; decision to be made by Netanyahu next week
Israel is considering placing anyone who returns from the United States in quarantine for coronavirus, a source in Jerusalem said Friday.
The U.S. would join a list of countries whose Israeli visitors are required to spend 14 days in isolation upon return home, including Spain, Italy, China and Hong Kong.
A decision on the matter will be made next week, the source said.
A government official said the Health Ministry is pushing behind the scenes to have the U.S. added to the list, but so far the move has been delayed by some government ministries for fear of compromising diplomatic and economic ties with the U.S.
There is also concern in Jerusalem about the Trump administration's response to such a decision.
Even so, due to the worsening spread of coronavirus in the U.S., the issue will be discussed again next week and a decision will be made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
An official said: "There are so many countries on the table. The implications must be considered, but above all, it is important to protect the health of Israeli citizens."
The official expressed the belief that adding the U.S. to the list would soon be unavoidable.
Earlier Friday, the Health Ministry said that a man who recently returned from Madrid has been confirmed as Israel's 21st case of coronavirus.
The man is the fourth new diagnosis since Thursday, which include recent returnees from Vienna and Zurich.
The four newly diagnosed patients - two who returned from Madrid on February 27 and March 2, one who came back from Zurich on Tuesday and one who returned from Vienna on March 1 - are in isolation, the Health Ministry said.
The condition of the man diagnosed as the 16th case of the virus deteriorated on Friday.
The 38-year-old resident of East Jerusalem works as a tour bus driver and was likely exposed to the pathogen while transporting a group of 21 Greek pilgrims who recently returned from Israel and have tested positive for the virus.
"In recent hours, despite intensive treatment, the patient's condition has worsened and he needs artificial respiration," said Poriya Hospital in Tiberias, where the man is being treated.
The hospital also said that medical team treating him is doing so in accordance with protocols that have been adopted by other countries.
He arrived at the hospital after feeling ill and was diagnosed with serious pneumonia in both lungs and placed in isolation.
Israel Police said Thursday it will begin to crack down on citizens who violate the Health Ministry's directives, which were designed to stem the spread of the virus.
Police said it has opened eight criminal investigations against Israelis who have violated the state’s home quarantine rules or misled health ministry inspectors.
“Israel Police will work in cooperation with the state prosecution in order to bring to justice anyone who chooses to ignore the Health Ministry instructions and endanger, with their actions — whether through negligence or intentionally — raising the dangers of the spread of the coronavirus,” a police official said.
According to police, those who violate the state's directives could face up to seven years in prison.
Israel is considering placing anyone who returns from the United States in quarantine for coronavirus, a source in Jerusalem said Friday.
The U.S. would join a list of countries whose Israeli visitors are required to spend 14 days in isolation upon return home, including Spain, Italy, China and Hong Kong.
A decision on the matter will be made next week, the source said.
A government official said the Health Ministry is pushing behind the scenes to have the U.S. added to the list, but so far the move has been delayed by some government ministries for fear of compromising diplomatic and economic ties with the U.S.
There is also concern in Jerusalem about the Trump administration's response to such a decision.
Even so, due to the worsening spread of coronavirus in the U.S., the issue will be discussed again next week and a decision will be made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
An official said: "There are so many countries on the table. The implications must be considered, but above all, it is important to protect the health of Israeli citizens."
The official expressed the belief that adding the U.S. to the list would soon be unavoidable.
Earlier Friday, the Health Ministry said that a man who recently returned from Madrid has been confirmed as Israel's 21st case of coronavirus.
The man is the fourth new diagnosis since Thursday, which include recent returnees from Vienna and Zurich.
The four newly diagnosed patients - two who returned from Madrid on February 27 and March 2, one who came back from Zurich on Tuesday and one who returned from Vienna on March 1 - are in isolation, the Health Ministry said.
The condition of the man diagnosed as the 16th case of the virus deteriorated on Friday.
The 38-year-old resident of East Jerusalem works as a tour bus driver and was likely exposed to the pathogen while transporting a group of 21 Greek pilgrims who recently returned from Israel and have tested positive for the virus.
"In recent hours, despite intensive treatment, the patient's condition has worsened and he needs artificial respiration," said Poriya Hospital in Tiberias, where the man is being treated.
The hospital also said that medical team treating him is doing so in accordance with protocols that have been adopted by other countries.
He arrived at the hospital after feeling ill and was diagnosed with serious pneumonia in both lungs and placed in isolation.
Israel Police said Thursday it will begin to crack down on citizens who violate the Health Ministry's directives, which were designed to stem the spread of the virus.
Police said it has opened eight criminal investigations against Israelis who have violated the state’s home quarantine rules or misled health ministry inspectors.
“Israel Police will work in cooperation with the state prosecution in order to bring to justice anyone who chooses to ignore the Health Ministry instructions and endanger, with their actions — whether through negligence or intentionally — raising the dangers of the spread of the coronavirus,” a police official said.
According to police, those who violate the state's directives could face up to seven years in prison.
6 mar 2020
Four new patients since Thursday recently returned from Madrid, Vienna and Zurich; East Jerusalem bus driver who transported infected Greek pilgrims takes turn for worse in Tiberias hospital
The Health Ministry said Friday that a man who recently returned from Madrid has been confirmed as Israel's 21st case of coronavirus.
The man is the fourth new diagnosis since Thursday, which include recent returnees from Vienna and Zurich.
The four newly diagnosed patients - two who returned from Madrid on February 27 and March 2, one who came back from Zurich on Tuesday and one who returned from Vienna on March 1 - are in isolation, the Health Ministry said.
The condition of the man diagnosed as the 16th case of the virus deteriorated on Friday.
The 38-year-old resident of East Jerusalem works as a tour bus driver and was likely exposed to the pathogen while transporting a group of 21 Greek pilgrims who recently returned from Israel and have tested positive for the virus.
"In recent hours, despite intensive treatment, the patient's condition has worsened and he needs artificial respiration," said Poriya Hospital in Tiberias, where the man is being treated.
The hospital also said that medical team treating him is doing so in accordance with protocols that have been adopted by other countries.
He arrived at the hospital after feeling ill and was diagnosed with serious pneumonia in both lungs and placed in isolation.
Israel Police said Thursday it will begin to crack down on citizens who violate the Health Ministry's directives, which were designed to stem the spread of the virus.
Police said it has opened eight criminal investigations against Israelis who have violated the state’s home quarantine rules or misled health ministry inspectors.
“Israel Police will work in cooperation with the state prosecution in order to bring to justice anyone who chooses to ignore the Health Ministry instructions and endanger, with their actions — whether through negligence or intentionally — raising the dangers of the spread of the coronavirus,” a police official said.
According to police, those who violate the state's directives could face up to seven years in prison.
The Health Ministry said Friday that a man who recently returned from Madrid has been confirmed as Israel's 21st case of coronavirus.
The man is the fourth new diagnosis since Thursday, which include recent returnees from Vienna and Zurich.
The four newly diagnosed patients - two who returned from Madrid on February 27 and March 2, one who came back from Zurich on Tuesday and one who returned from Vienna on March 1 - are in isolation, the Health Ministry said.
The condition of the man diagnosed as the 16th case of the virus deteriorated on Friday.
The 38-year-old resident of East Jerusalem works as a tour bus driver and was likely exposed to the pathogen while transporting a group of 21 Greek pilgrims who recently returned from Israel and have tested positive for the virus.
"In recent hours, despite intensive treatment, the patient's condition has worsened and he needs artificial respiration," said Poriya Hospital in Tiberias, where the man is being treated.
The hospital also said that medical team treating him is doing so in accordance with protocols that have been adopted by other countries.
He arrived at the hospital after feeling ill and was diagnosed with serious pneumonia in both lungs and placed in isolation.
Israel Police said Thursday it will begin to crack down on citizens who violate the Health Ministry's directives, which were designed to stem the spread of the virus.
Police said it has opened eight criminal investigations against Israelis who have violated the state’s home quarantine rules or misled health ministry inspectors.
“Israel Police will work in cooperation with the state prosecution in order to bring to justice anyone who chooses to ignore the Health Ministry instructions and endanger, with their actions — whether through negligence or intentionally — raising the dangers of the spread of the coronavirus,” a police official said.
According to police, those who violate the state's directives could face up to seven years in prison.
Israel has re-elected Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of the right-wing camp, in a surprising result given the corruption charges against him and a forthcoming trial.
Nevertheless, he duly went ahead and defeated his opponents.
Netanyahu’s victory provides us with an opportunity to consider whether corruption has permeated Israeli society as it shifts ever more to the right. Does electing a fellow right-winger matter more to voters than getting rid of (allegedly) corrupt politicians?
He won due to his personal charisma, security narrative, and incitement against the Arabs; no mention was made about his corruption. In any case, the latter was overlooked by Israeli voters. This suggests that the Israeli electorate, especially those in the right-wing, religious and nationalist camp, are more concerned about Zionist ideals and politics than a corrupt government.
Even so, a petition was presented to President Reuven Rivlin and the Knesset signed by 120 former Israeli officials asking him not to ask Netanyahu to form the next government. These are high-ranking figures who have won state awards, university presidents, academics and suchlike. More than 500 air force officers sent a similar petition to Rivlin with the same message about Netanyahu’s corruption.
Being asked to form a coalition government will not save him from going to trial because he did not obtain an absolute majority. In a few days, therefore, we may see something unique in Israel’s history: a strong Prime Minister who has just been re-elected, sitting in court as a defendant, fighting for his freedom and his political life.
Netanyahu has been indicted on very serious charges, including corruption, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. His trial is expected to take some time to conclude. He is not the first senior politician in Israel to face criminal charges. His situation sheds light on the magnitude of the corruption in Israeli political life and its impact on the system now and in the future, with a significant number of politicians involved.
Perhaps the most prominent politician to have been imprisoned is ex-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was convicted in a number of criminal cases involving bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Before him was Moshe Katsav, the eighth President of Israel, who committed sexual offences and two rapes. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.
Aryeh Deri, the leader of the Shas movement —a strong ally of Netanyahu — was imprisoned for taking bribes and using public money for the benefit of an association run by his wife.
Far-right former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the head of Yisrael Beiteinu, is Netanyahu’s political enemy. He was connected, apparently, to many criminal offences, including the exploitation of public money for personal interests as well as attacking two boys and threatening them.
Stas Misezhnikov, the Minister of Tourism, was convicted of transferring huge sums of money to a woman with whom he had a special relationship.
Minister of Finance, Tourism, and Communications Avraham Hirchson was convicted of using public funds for personal purposes and breach of trust.
News reports about corruption in Israeli society are controversial because of the cost to the state, which is pushing citizens to describe the ruling class as a “corrupt leadership”. This leadership “pollutes” the political atmosphere and has a negative impact on public trust in state institutions.
What are the consequences of Netanyahu’s re-election, especially in terms of Israel’s status in the West? Will it be denied the economic and diplomatic privileges that it currently enjoys if the corruption levels increase? If the answers are “nothing” and “no”, then we all have a problem to contend with.
The indictments facing Netanyahu cover three areas: government privileges, bribery, and political appointments, all of which are widespread, apparently, from the prime minister to his ministers; from members of the Knesset to senior officials. Former Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg once said: “The 2,000-year struggle for Jewish survival comes down to a state of settlements, run by an amoral clique of corrupt lawbreakers who are deaf both to their citizens and to their enemies.”
Reports from the World Bank indicate that Israel is a country based on a high level of corruption, exceeding the “acceptable” rate in developed countries at 8.8 per cent, compared with the general rate in the West of 4.91 per cent. Israel is thus at the top of the list of the most corrupt countries.
Perhaps the most important effect of this corruption and other scandals is what might be called the deterioration of values and the “disturbance and decline of the soul” in Israel. It is heading in the wrong direction and is being dragged into the darkness towards possible extinction, not because of its enemies, but because of the Israelis themselves, not least their leaders, or those who would claim leadership.
There is a morality question mark over all of them, and the public does not trust them. Public confidence and trust in the Prime Minister fell from 34 per cent to just 21 per cent, while trust in the State President went down from 67 per cent to just 22 per cent.
What’s more, 79 per cent of the Israeli public has expressed concern for the future of the state due to corruption, with 75 per cent convinced that the malaise is widespread.
There must be concerns about the future of the Israeli political system. Once senior figures are indicted for corruption, the stability of the whole system is at risk. This also affects global opinions about Israel.
Israeli diplomats around the world have told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the countries in which they serve are concerned about the extent of corruption in the state and that reports of corruption cases on a daily basis have caused great damage to its image globally. Corruption, they explain, dominates every meeting they hold with political delegations, journalists and opinion-makers, especially in Western Europe and the US.
The fact that Israeli society is still, by and large, a society of immigrants from many countries with their own cultures and traditions may have something to do with the lack of internal harmony and the different degrees of acceptability of certain behaviour and expectations.
Whatever the cause is, corruption is more prevalent in the upper echelons of Israeli society among those with power and influence.
This level of corruption in Israel is one of the most worrying issues on a par with “the Palestinian resistance and domestic crime” because it affects the stereotypically positive image promoted about the “Jewish and democratic state”.
The resultant lack of confidence in the government exposes the lack of sound decision-making and measures in a very unstable part of the world. That has to be a concern for us all.
Nevertheless, he duly went ahead and defeated his opponents.
Netanyahu’s victory provides us with an opportunity to consider whether corruption has permeated Israeli society as it shifts ever more to the right. Does electing a fellow right-winger matter more to voters than getting rid of (allegedly) corrupt politicians?
He won due to his personal charisma, security narrative, and incitement against the Arabs; no mention was made about his corruption. In any case, the latter was overlooked by Israeli voters. This suggests that the Israeli electorate, especially those in the right-wing, religious and nationalist camp, are more concerned about Zionist ideals and politics than a corrupt government.
Even so, a petition was presented to President Reuven Rivlin and the Knesset signed by 120 former Israeli officials asking him not to ask Netanyahu to form the next government. These are high-ranking figures who have won state awards, university presidents, academics and suchlike. More than 500 air force officers sent a similar petition to Rivlin with the same message about Netanyahu’s corruption.
Being asked to form a coalition government will not save him from going to trial because he did not obtain an absolute majority. In a few days, therefore, we may see something unique in Israel’s history: a strong Prime Minister who has just been re-elected, sitting in court as a defendant, fighting for his freedom and his political life.
Netanyahu has been indicted on very serious charges, including corruption, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. His trial is expected to take some time to conclude. He is not the first senior politician in Israel to face criminal charges. His situation sheds light on the magnitude of the corruption in Israeli political life and its impact on the system now and in the future, with a significant number of politicians involved.
Perhaps the most prominent politician to have been imprisoned is ex-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was convicted in a number of criminal cases involving bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Before him was Moshe Katsav, the eighth President of Israel, who committed sexual offences and two rapes. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.
Aryeh Deri, the leader of the Shas movement —a strong ally of Netanyahu — was imprisoned for taking bribes and using public money for the benefit of an association run by his wife.
Far-right former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the head of Yisrael Beiteinu, is Netanyahu’s political enemy. He was connected, apparently, to many criminal offences, including the exploitation of public money for personal interests as well as attacking two boys and threatening them.
Stas Misezhnikov, the Minister of Tourism, was convicted of transferring huge sums of money to a woman with whom he had a special relationship.
Minister of Finance, Tourism, and Communications Avraham Hirchson was convicted of using public funds for personal purposes and breach of trust.
News reports about corruption in Israeli society are controversial because of the cost to the state, which is pushing citizens to describe the ruling class as a “corrupt leadership”. This leadership “pollutes” the political atmosphere and has a negative impact on public trust in state institutions.
What are the consequences of Netanyahu’s re-election, especially in terms of Israel’s status in the West? Will it be denied the economic and diplomatic privileges that it currently enjoys if the corruption levels increase? If the answers are “nothing” and “no”, then we all have a problem to contend with.
The indictments facing Netanyahu cover three areas: government privileges, bribery, and political appointments, all of which are widespread, apparently, from the prime minister to his ministers; from members of the Knesset to senior officials. Former Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg once said: “The 2,000-year struggle for Jewish survival comes down to a state of settlements, run by an amoral clique of corrupt lawbreakers who are deaf both to their citizens and to their enemies.”
Reports from the World Bank indicate that Israel is a country based on a high level of corruption, exceeding the “acceptable” rate in developed countries at 8.8 per cent, compared with the general rate in the West of 4.91 per cent. Israel is thus at the top of the list of the most corrupt countries.
Perhaps the most important effect of this corruption and other scandals is what might be called the deterioration of values and the “disturbance and decline of the soul” in Israel. It is heading in the wrong direction and is being dragged into the darkness towards possible extinction, not because of its enemies, but because of the Israelis themselves, not least their leaders, or those who would claim leadership.
There is a morality question mark over all of them, and the public does not trust them. Public confidence and trust in the Prime Minister fell from 34 per cent to just 21 per cent, while trust in the State President went down from 67 per cent to just 22 per cent.
What’s more, 79 per cent of the Israeli public has expressed concern for the future of the state due to corruption, with 75 per cent convinced that the malaise is widespread.
There must be concerns about the future of the Israeli political system. Once senior figures are indicted for corruption, the stability of the whole system is at risk. This also affects global opinions about Israel.
Israeli diplomats around the world have told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the countries in which they serve are concerned about the extent of corruption in the state and that reports of corruption cases on a daily basis have caused great damage to its image globally. Corruption, they explain, dominates every meeting they hold with political delegations, journalists and opinion-makers, especially in Western Europe and the US.
The fact that Israeli society is still, by and large, a society of immigrants from many countries with their own cultures and traditions may have something to do with the lack of internal harmony and the different degrees of acceptability of certain behaviour and expectations.
Whatever the cause is, corruption is more prevalent in the upper echelons of Israeli society among those with power and influence.
This level of corruption in Israel is one of the most worrying issues on a par with “the Palestinian resistance and domestic crime” because it affects the stereotypically positive image promoted about the “Jewish and democratic state”.
The resultant lack of confidence in the government exposes the lack of sound decision-making and measures in a very unstable part of the world. That has to be a concern for us all.
