- The rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations in Israel led to demonstrations in Tel Aviv.
- This happened when the government implemented new coronavirus restrictions.
- The country recently provided enhanced injections and mandatory masks for people over 60 years of age.
On Saturday, hundreds of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv against the new coronavirus restrictions and vaccines, as the number of positive cases and hospitalizations rose to levels not seen in months.
The Ministry of Health reported on Saturday that 2,435 new Covid-19 cases had been recorded the day before — the highest number since March — which was driven by the more contagious variant of Delta.
The number of hospitalizations was 326, the highest since April, but well below the peak in January, when more than 2,000 people were hospitalized every day.
In recent days, Israel has introduced enhanced vaccination injections for the elderly, re-regulated the requirements for wearing masks indoors, and restored the “green pass” restrictions, requiring access to closed spaces such as gyms, restaurants and hotels to obtain a vaccine certificate.
After Israel’s world-leading vaccine campaign reduced the number of new Covid-19 cases from 10,000 per day to less than 100, the increase in infections is a step backwards.
Watch | Israel launches Covid-19 booster campaign for people in their 60s
On Saturday, the protesters waved banners that read “There is no pandemic, this is a hoax.” They held placards condemning the coronavirus vaccine, and one of the posters linked the vaccine to the Nazis.
On Saturday, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz told Israel Channel 12 that he intends to balance public health and livelihoods.
“The economy must remain open,” he said.
“I don’t want to implement a lockdown, I will avoid it at all costs. Everything is open-but we need masks, we need vaccines.”
Nearly 60% of Israel’s 9.3 million population received two vaccinations, most of which received Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines.
However, even if the conditions are met, about 1 million Israelis still refuse to be vaccinated.
Starting Sunday, some children aged 5 to 11 who are at risk of health complications will be eligible for the vaccine.
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