Ronni Gamzu
Ronni GamzuOlivia Fitoussi, Flash 90

Coronavirus Czar Prof. Ronni Gamzu published a personal post Sunday afternoon on the eve of Yom Kippur.

Hello everyone, Yom Kippur is a time for soul-searching and personal, social and national observation. I, too, perform a self-reckoning.

The holiday season itself is characterized by gatherings of various kinds: prayers, family meals, entertainment and recreation and therefore I must say honestly and clearly - in any case and at any level of morbidity we are required to tighten restrictions during this period and there was no escape from this decision.

I am sorry that we are required to hold the Kol Nidre prayer tonight in conditions of closure and in smaller groups, as will probably be the case in Jewish communities all over the world; This is a temporary order that is unfortunately necessary to avoid life-threatening situations.

And in this time of forgiveness and pardon - I will ask this of every citizen in the State of Israel because I was unable to prevent the full lockdown; To any person whose livelihood is harmed; whose life is getting harder; For any person who is required to give up the freedom to see his extended family and friends; For every person who is forced to give up freedom and vacation, for in the eyes of many, this is precisely the time to move freely and vacation in Israel and abroad.

I ask forgiveness also from every person in Israel, secular, traditional, religious and haredi, for the the fact that the period of Tishrei, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah, which are a special and sacred period, is being held mainly outside the synagogues; for the fact that the joy of the days of Sukkot and Simchat Torah are diminished this year.

A special apology to the haredi public who saw my statements and decisions as harming them, their community and their traditions. Everything I said, recommended or decided stemmed from my attempt to preserve human life in every community in Israel.

As someone who has worked for many years in the public medical system and believes in it, I know that all of us who work in the hospitals strive day and night to provide the best care with endless dedication and investment, and for that I am grateful tor all medical staff wherever they are!

On this occasion, I would like to thank the dear employees of Ichilov hospital - I am proud of you for your outstanding work and I miss you. We still have a lot of work ahead of us even during the closure: to continue to build and strengthen the system of cutting the chain of infection and the system of management in the local authorities - by the Home Front Command.

We must continue to improve access to information and strengthen the public's trust in the ability of all of us together and every Israeli himself to defeat the coronavirus. Israelis: On days when we are all required to do self-reckoning - I ask each and every one of you to take personal responsibility for your health and adhere to the guidelines of wearing a mask and maintaining distance .... We have no other choice!

Happy new year and an easy fast.