Coronavirus

Some Israelis enraged by government's 'vaccine coercion'

While Israel continues leading the world in COVID vaccinations, some are angered by government measures.

IDF soldier killed by stray bullet continues saving lives

IDF soldier killed when a bullet was misfired at Joran Valley base has saved the lives of 5 by donating organs - 1 a COVID patient.

Special education to return to normal schedule

New plan allows some special education students to return to normal schedule.

Green Passport plan to allow in-person school with no capsules?

Health Ministry debates allowing high schools to reopen as usual, so long as majority of students and staff are immune to coronavirus.

Likud MK blames Coronavirus Committee chief for COVID deaths

'If we had fired her, not nearly as many people would have died.' Coalition Chairman blames Likud MK who joined New Hope for COVID deaths.

British variant increases chance of hospitalization by 60-70%

Military Intelligence Directorate says downward trend has slowed to a halt, urges government to reconsider further steps to reopen.

'Unvaccinated? Find a different yeshiva to learn in'

Head of Beit El yeshiva calls on students to vaccinate themselves against coronavirus.

'Sue teachers who aren't vaccinated'

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, leading Religious Zionist rabbi, says: 'Children's right to health more important than teachers' 'personal rights.'

Synagogue organization: 'Don't forget the children'

World Synagogue Organization calls for continued outdoor prayers, suggests giving under-16s key roles in leading outdoor prayer sessions.

'Preschool teachers aren't babysitters'

'Preschool teachers are not babysitters, we could've helped create best plan for everyone,' ITU head says.

Health Ministry Chief:

'We still haven't ruled out imposing a 4th lockdown'

Top health official warns against rapid reopening of economy, says government may need to impose yet another lockdown.

Will Ramadan cause unprecedented coronavirus outbreak?

Low vaccination rates in Arab sector raise concerns of enormous outbreak during Ramadan, wedding season.

Airport may reopen on Sunday

Number of flights may be unlimited, quarantine to continue for anyone without proof of coronavirus immunization or recovery.

Report: Trump and his wife quietly received COVID-19 vaccine

Former President and first lady quietly received the COVID-19 vaccine at the White House in January, says advisor.

Health Ministry okays vaccinations of recoverees as of Tuesday

Ministry gives HMOs go ahead to vaccinate Israelis who recovered from COVID-19 more than three months ago. They will receive one dose.

Sanders praises call to vaccinate Palestinian Arabs

Sanders last week blasted Israel for failing to vaccinate Palestinian Arabs even though Israel is not obligated to do so.

Twitter to apply warnings to misleading tweets about vaccines

Social media giant to warn about tweets containing misleading information on vaccines, could permanently ban users for repeat violations.

'Vaccines are a great and unprecedented achievement'

MK Asher calls on gov't to allow vaccinated, recovered, to return to routine as much as possible. 'Everyone would run to get vaccinated.'

Supreme Court imposes sweeping ban on COVID tracking

Use of surveillance techniques to track COVID cases will be strictly limited following court ruling.

'Don't push up steps in reopening'

Infection coefficient rises to 1, head of coronavirus staff urges government to stick to reopening agreements. 'Waits show us effects.'

Recovered coronavirus patients to be eligible for vaccine

Health Ministry approves use of leftover vaccine doses for recovered coronavirus patients, says detailed guidelines soon to be released.

'Noise that's intended to keep parents quiet'

'Plan to extend school year is intended to keep parents quiet, students won't come,' Education Min. staff say.

Report: Excess mortality and life expectancy in Israel in 2020

Coronavirus pandemic has increased mortality in Israel - especially for haredim and Israeli-Arabs, report shows.

Netanyahu:

'We might need to get vaccinated every six months'

Israel may continue use of Green Passports even after initial six-month period. 'COVID could come back leading to endless lockdowns.'

Fauci: We should be grateful we have three vaccines

Dr. Anthony Fauci says Johnson & Johnson vaccine is effective despite its lower efficacy compared to Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

Deliveries to US of Johnson & Johnson vaccine expected Tuesday

The announcement comes a day after the FDA cleared the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine that works with just one dose instead of two.

Report: No easing of COVID restrictions after Purim gatherings

Mass gatherings over Purim have given Ministry of Health officials reason to cancel several proposed relaxations of public health guidelines

As House passes $1.9 Relief Act, many left wondering 'Why?'

After House narrowly passed $1.9 trillion relief package, with all Republicans & two Democrats voting against, much remains to be decided.

Former COVID-19 patients can get vaccinated with one dose

The health ministry has found an alternative to discarding unused COVID-19 vaccines.

Visitors to Israel will have to wear electric monitoring device

A government program would require anyone entering the country to be monitored while in quarantine upon arrival.

Anti-Haredi Discrimination?

'I'm haredi, so police told me to turn around and go back home'

Haredi man driving to work with papers proving he is an essential worker says he was refused passage at police checkpoint.

Lawyers to sue WHO for 'misleading world over COVID-19 outbreak'

Consumer protection trial lawyer Reiner Fuellmich says agencies 'knowingly misled governments across the world.'

Austrian Chancellor and Danish Prime Minister to visit Israel

Austrian Chancellor says the visit will focus on medical cooperation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

FDA approves Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

FDA says J&J's vaccine offers strong protection against serious illness, hospitalizations and death.

Woman who died of coronavirus urged friends to get vaccinated

Osnat Ben Shitrit, pregnant woman who died of coronavirus, urged her friends to get vaccinated just days before her own death.

Fetus, 36 weeks, dies of coronavirus in utero

Hospital delivers coronavirus-positive woman after examination shows fetus to have died in utero.

31 dead of coronavirus since Friday

Percentage of positive tests drops from 5.9% to 5.8% as nearly 3 dozen more Israelis die of coronavirus.

New Zealand's largest city enters week-long lockdown

Coronavirus case of unknown origin diagnosed in Auckland, New Zealand, sending city into lockdown.

Pfizer CEO: 'Israel has become world's lab'

'A lot of indicators' tell us vaccine provides 'protection against the transmission' of coronavirus, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says.

Will the coronavirus interfere with making Aliyah?

The coronavirus should not interfere with Aliyah if the person is careful and informative from reliable sources.

1,300 fines given for violating Purim curfew

4 arrested for assaulting police enforcing curfew in Rehovot as police say 'not a city in Israel' which did not see violations.

36 children hospitalized with COVID-19

Health Ministry provides updated data on morbidity rates for young people with the coronavirus.

Half of Israelis now vaccinated against COVID

Despite progress in mass vaccination campaign, decline in infection rate appears to have ended.

FDA approves standard freezing temperatures for Pfizer vaccines

Food and Drug Administration approves storage and transportation of Pfizer vaccine at standard freezer temperatures.

Israel halts sale of vaccines

A complaint from the Attorney General and Security Minister has temporarily frozen the Prime Minister's plans to sell surplus vaccines.

Watch: Israelis decry 'assault on individual rights'

Some Tel Aviv residents spoke out against government's collection of data on individuals refusing to vaccinate while others supported it.

International community views Israel as COVID 'case study'

World leaders, even MSM looking to Israel as they attempt to solve the Corona pandemic.

De Blasio calls for independent investigation of Cuomo

NYC Mayor calls for independent investigation into charges against Gov. Cuomo after top aide accuses him of harassment.

Fox News host leads anti-Cuomo rally

Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean leading campaign to impeach NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his alleged mishandling of nursing home deaths.

'Judo-Nazis' - Hundreds protest vaccine 'Holocaust' in Tel Aviv

Anti-vaxxer activists claim the government has a 'larger plan in mind' and is 'experimenting' on Israel's civilian population.

A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? Maybe

'We believe the third dose will raise antibody response ten- to twenty-fold,' Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says.

Coronavirus czar: 'We can't go out to party'

'No doubt people are exhausted from this year,' coronavirus czar Nachman Ash says, warning: 'Not true' people can go out and party as usual.

'I didn't love the loyalty agreement, but I signed it'

MK Gafni says Tel Aviv parties are a 'bad thing,' emphasizes need for citizens to keep Health Min. guidelines. 'Saving lives most imp't.'

Purim curfew plan ready to go

Police commissioner promises to deploy 2,500 roadblocks, activate intelligence sources, to enforce Purim curfew.

PA opposes vaccine compound on the Temple Mount

PA chairman opposes initiative proposed in Israel, claims it would give Israel a foothold in the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Clalit study on Pfizer vaccine published in full

The study of the health maintenance organization shows the Pfizer shot is highly effective at preventing COVID-19.

Researchers: New coronavirus variant identified in New York

Researchers say new coronavirus variant that shares some similarities with the South African variant is on the rise in New York City.

Moderna to test booster for South African variant

Moderna announces it will begin testing new version of its COVID-19 vaccine that was specifically designed to target South African variant.

Police release Purim-weekend curfew road map

Police release details on how they will enforce Purim curfew restrictions, including map of checkpoints to be set up across the country.

Netanyahu: We will vaccinate children before summer vacation

Prime Minister says vaccination campaign will extend to children ages 12 and up after such vaccines are approved.