Defense Minister held a press conference in Kria and again called back to routine "with security measures" • On the right-wing government talks: "Prime Minister makes great efforts"

• Defense Minister Bennett, today // Photo: Ministry of Defense / Tal Oz

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday reiterated his call to open the Israeli economy again, warning that "the damage to Israel's closure is greater than the danger of opening Israel." Bennett said this at a news conference in Karia, which was conducted in accordance with the Health Ministry's restrictions.

Bennett added: "Immediately after Independence Day, the education system needs to be opened from age 0 to grade 3. There is no one to keep children and parents out of work. Open self-catering rooms and malls after Independence Day with safety measures." At the same time, Bennett acknowledged that "opening Israel increases the risk for adults and the elderly," but he said that Israel could contain the same increase in morbidity.

Defense Minister Bennett on the evacuation of the elderly from Bnei Brak // Photo: Tal Oz / Ministry of Defense

"I hear criticism of the Ministry of Health's supposedly 'over-anxiety' at the beginning of the crisis. I reject the criticism," Bennett added. "I fully back up the decisions made at the beginning of the crisis to shut down Israel for the simple reason - the information we had at the time led to the right decision. Today we know much more about the virus's features and extent of infection, and so with the same determination that we shut down Israel should open Israel with defense mechanisms."

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Regarding whether he will replace Yaakov Litzman in the role of Minister of Health, Bennett (right) said: "There have been no contacts. The Prime Minister is making great efforts to bring us in, if something is offered that can make an incoming influence or not then."

Bennett, who is pushing for meetings to open the education system, was not invited for tomorrow's meeting to open the education system: "Ask Netanyahu why he did not invite me to attend a meeting tomorrow on the educational system."

About closing the cemeteries on Memorial Day, Bennett said: "Obviously it's jarring but the decision is right and I'm behind it. A million and a half people come every year. It's a life-threatening danger. This corona bomb must be prevented." 

Participating in the preparation: Yehuda Schlesinger