Minister of Labor & Economy Amir Peretz has criticized the government for its decision to source medical equipment in China rather than purchasing needing supplies from Israeli companies.
"We will do what we can to protect Israeli industries," he said. "Today I signed on an order extending the prohibition on shipping ventilators abroad, in order to protect the health of Israeli citizens. We cannot on the one hand ask Israeli companies to collaborate with the government and on the other hand disregard their interests. Israeli industry is our anchor and I will insist that protecting it is not just an empty slogan but something that we put into practise."