Coronavirus

Religious Blue & White MK: Don't enter synagogues on Yom Kippur

MK Tehila Friedman of Blue and White warns religious community of Israel not to enter synagogues on holiest day of the Jewish year.

'I recovered from COVID and then got infected again'

Young woman becomes infected with coronavirus for the second time after having fully recovered two months earlier. 'The doctor was in shock'

Left-wing protesters block entrance to Knesset

Demonstrators block vehicle access to the Knesset during debate on amendment to restrict demonstrations during lockdown.

Gamzu: 'I recommended not closing country'

COVID-19 coordinator says hermetic closure will lead to more significant reduction in morbidity: 'Government decision is message to public.'

How is COVID-19 affecting Holocaust survivors?

Bar-Ilan University study finds that the pandemic can echo past adversities and trigger amplified psychological reactions.

Government approves: Lockdown as of Friday

Prayers and demonstrations will also be held in capsules of up to 20 people. Knesset will be asked to approve the measure on Thursday.

Officer who oversees demonstrations contracts COVID-19

Police Commander who oversees police activities during demonstrations outside PM's home tests positive for coronavirus.

Missouri Governor tests positive for COVID-19

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson tests positive for coronavirus but continues to work without interruption.

Government to approve 'hermetic' lockdown starting Friday

Citizens will be allowed to leave only for purposes defined "essential." Synagogues will open only on Yom Kippur, to small number.

PM to nation: Sharp rise in cases, situation is severe

Prime Minister Netanyahu explains need for stricter lockdown. "The decisions are difficult but there is no choice."

PM Netanyahu:

'There will be a general lockdown - better to start now'

DM Gantz demands end to 'disproportionate' focus on demonstrations as PM Netanyahu pushes for harsher lockdown.

Hadassah director: We already had a lockdown. It doesn't help

Professor Zeev Rotstein criticizes government's handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Agreement purportedly reached on plan for Yom Kippur prayers

According to apparent outline, up to 20 will be allowed to pray together in open space, at a distance of up to a kilometer from home.

'Finance Ministry is to blame for crisis in hospitals'

Shortage of doctors has been known issue for months, but only now is the Health Ministry appealing for retired doctors to return.

'The plague of hatred is more dangerous than the coronavirus'

"When dozens are dying every day, it's not the time to squabble over what's more important - prayers or protests."

Netanyahu pushing for immediate imposition of tighter lockdown

Flights abroad to be banned? PM expected to push for closure of much of Israeli economy, warning of national health 'emergency'.

European airports to use Israeli-made coronavirus test

Rapid coronavirus screening test developed in Israel to be used in multiple European airports.

Former Health Minister: Closure intended to cover failure

Chaim Ramon: 'I'm sorry Netanyahu and his ministers are adopting this policy, which will bring upon us a health and economic disaster.'

Poll: Most Israelis back total lockdown

New poll shows Israelis are evenly divided over lockdown restrictions - with 30% saying they are too restrictive, 29% say they're too lax.

Israel’s Covid mystery

HCQ was banned for Covid patients by the WHO on the basis of late stage trials. But doctors claim it worked in early stage usage. Opinion.

Aryeh Deri: Synagogues must remain open on Yom Kippur

For the remainder of lockdown, Deri concedes that prayers will be held outdoors only - as long as protests are also restricted.

Record high of 6,782 new cases in 24 hours

Coronavirus Czar pushes for intensified lockdown, noting high percentage of positive coronavirus tests.

Coronavirus Cabinet to consider Yom Kippur synagogue closures

Israel's Coronavirus Cabinet to convene Wednesday morning to deliberate on plans to tighten lockdown, close synagogues during Yom Kippur.

Netanyahu advisers fined for violating isolation

Two of PM's advisers fined for violating isolation requirements imposed on them upon their return from Washington.

Finger-pointing as COVID-19 carriers board flights abroad

Six months into outbreak, Health Ministry and Border Control still disconnected as 5 COVID carriers fly from Israel to Serbia and Turkey.

Report: Deri may agree to close synagogues

Shas chairman says he would agree to allow synagogues to be closed only if demonstrations face the same ban.

Netanyahu to demonstrators: This farce must end

PM says rules for demonstrations should not be different than for prayers or other gatherings if the rules are to be obeyed.

List of IDF red bases revealed

As part of IDF coronavirus efforts, it was decided to publish list of 'reddest' units and list of 'green' units in IDF.

Tzohar Rabbinical org: Close the synagogues

Religious Zionist rabbinical organization calls on government to listen to Coronavirus Czar, synagogues to act responsibly during lockdown.

Health Min. scrubs hospital capacity stats from coronavirus site

After hospitals mistakenly labelled as being at over 100% capacity in coronavirus wards, Health Ministry removes stats from its website.

A positive take on Israel's Covid-19 setback

Only a  positive perspective will enable us, in Israel and everywhere, to  victoriously endure our covid war of attrition. Opinion.

'The people won't accept closing synagogues on Yom Kippur'

Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau warns Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israelis will not obey orders to close synagogues during Yom Kippur.

The forgotten victims of coronavirus - the elderly who die alone

ZAKA has dealt with no less than 120 forgotten victims of coronavirus - the elderly who die alone in their own homes.

New Lockdown Plan:

Synagogues to be closed, Sukkot markets to be banned

Coronavirus Cabinet to rule on expanded lockdown plan which will include shutting down half of private sector businesses, closing synagogues

Andrew Neil interviews Swedish epidemiologist. Anders Tegnell

British commentator asks Tegnell asks what Sweden has got right in its response to coronavirus and if UK can learn from his approach.

Prof. Gamzu: 'Situation is under control, but extremely serious'

"I appeal to everyone not to remain indifferent to the crisis," says coronavirus czar.

'This lockdown isn't working' admits Justice Minister

Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn says there's no choice but to impose harsher restrictions.

Violators should be imprisoned, says MK Miki Zohar

We don't need stricter regulations - we just need tougher enforcement, coalition head insists.

Israeli Cabinet approves economic safety net plan

New aid plan will spend some 10.5 billion shekels to aid businesses and wage-earners harmed by ongoing lockdown.

Will Prof. Gabi Barbash join Yamina?

The former director-general of the Health Ministry is one of the "big names" party leader Naftali Bennett would like to recruit.

Netanyahu pushing for stricter lockdown after Yom Kippur

Coronavirus Cabinet to meet Tuesday to deliberate on proposal to impose tighter lockdown after Yom Kippur, strictly limiting private sector.

'We can outsmart this virus' says German professor of virology

Prof. Streeck describes how a "proper balance" is essential and why lockdown is not only damaging but also unnecessary.

7,000 lockdown fines issued during Rosh Hashanah

Thousands of Israelis fined during Rosh Hashanah for violating lockdown rules.

Montreal Jewish school shut down for 2 weeks over COVID outbreak

Jewish high school in Montreal ordered to close for two weeks after 15 students diagnosed with the coronavirus

US close to registering 200,000 COVID-19 deaths

199,743 Americans have died and 6.8 million have been confirmed infected, according to Johns Hopkins tally.

British PM to order pubs and restaurants closed

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to announce under new nationwide restrictions to halt a rise in coronavirus cases.

Hospitals: We can admit more patients, Health Ministry misleads

Health Ministry claims COVID wards countrywide overcrowded but some hospital sources say reality differs from picture presented to public

Shasha-Biton replies to Netanyahu: 'Stop looking for culprits'

MK Shasha-Biton responds to PM's criticism, 'You diffused Prof. Gamzu's traffic light system to the point it was no longer useful.'

Naftali Bennett:

'Viral load affects severity of disease'

MK Bennett explains if one had many viruses, he will experience severe COVID-19 symptoms, but those who had few viruses, effect will be low.

Coronavirus Commissar predicts 1,200 seriously ill per day

Coronavirus Commissar at Wolfson Hospital: 'Clearly, number of patients will double in coming weeks; hospitals currently being prepared.'

PM: Don't come to us with complaints if you break the rules

Prime Minister Netanyahu says Coronavirus Cabinet will discuss possibility of implementing harsher restrictions tomorrow.

Energy Minister: Health system bears blame for lockdown

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz says Israel should have instituted current lockdown two months ago.

Over a million enter isolation in two months

Data obtained by Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman show since July 1, more than million citizens enter isolation.

Defense Minister Gantz orders field hospital prepared

DM orders preparations to establish hospital in accordance with projections.

Congressional report:

'WHO, China could have helped prevent COVID-19'

Report: 'It is highly likely the ongoing pandemic could have been prevented.'

Unemployment claims surge after lockdown imposed

Decline in unemployment reverses, with 42,000 new unemployment claims filed since last Thursday, on eve of Israel's second lockdown.

Coronavirus Czar:

'The public doesn't understand that the threat is real'

'We'll have 800 seriously ill patients by the end of the week, and with 40 more every day,' says Ronni Gamzu.

An October surprise could drain the coronavirus swamp

Vaccine or antibody treatment - which will it be and when will they be ready? Opinion.

643 coronavirus patients in serious condition

1,295 coronavirus patients hospitalized, including 643 in serious condition, with 170 on respirators.

Coronvirus Cabinet to rule on tighter lockdown rules Monday

PM and Health Minister pushing for massive restrictions on economic activity, while Coronavirus Czar and Finance Minister oppose new rules.