Just before he takes off for the United States, the Prime Minister will address the significant exacerbation of restrictions • Health Minister Yuli Edelstein and Corona Professor Prof. Roni Gamzo, who are in solitary confinement, will speak later.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is issuing a special statement to the media at this time (Sunday) ahead of the final decision regarding another closure that is due to begin later this week, most likely on Tuesday.
A few hours after the declaration, Netanyahu is expected to fly to the United States for the signing ceremony of the peace agreements with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
PM Netanyahu's speech ahead of the second closure // Photo: GPO
At the end of Netanyahu's speech, Health Minister Yuli Edelstein and Corona Projector Professor Roni Gamzo will also speak, both through the "zoom" because they are in isolation after being exposed to a verified patient in recent days.
As of this moment, before the start of the statement to the media, it appears that the government will approve leaving the education system open until Friday, in the outline of the "red cities" - according to sources in the political system.
The cabinet meeting on the steps to be taken this week is still being held at these hours.
The prime minister is expected to make a special statement at 8:15 p.m., a few hours before taking off for the United States for the signing ceremony of peace agreements with the Emirates and Bahrain.
Earlier in the day, hospital administrators summoned to a cabinet meeting presented a serious scenario to ministers, claiming that "the health care system will collapse in three weeks if no significant steps are taken to stop the disease."
A report presented shows that in 97% of the localities with more than 20,000 people, there is an increase in infection and the infection coefficient is higher than R 1. This means that every person diagnosed with corona infects more than one person. Written.
At the opening of the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "The day before, before the conversation on Friday, Prof. Gamzo approached us, and together with the experts and the heads of the health system, actually waved a red flag.
A red flag regarding the ability of the health system to address the challenges that come our way, and the need to take the necessary steps as a result. "
"This is actually the purpose of this meeting that followed the cabinet meeting," Netanyahu continued. "The cabinet meeting raised resolutions, the goal is of course to discuss them during this meeting. I was very sorry for Minister Litzman's decision to resign from the government. I very much appreciate Litzman and I also respect "His decision. We must move forward, make the necessary decisions for the State of Israel during the Corona period and that is what we will do in this yeshiva."
Archive photo
Edelstein: "Closure - a matter of life and death"
Health Minister Edelstein also said things at the beginning of the meeting.
"When I took office, I led the Prime Minister to open the economy while labeling a 'purple mark' in dialogue with the various branches of the economy. But at the same time I demanded aggressive, effective and unforgivable enforcement. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Now there is no escape from closure. "I will not be happy when it is approved. This is a very difficult day for the country. But it is an offer with no choice."
He added: "Therefore I ask that it be clear - apart from such and other cosmetic changes, I will not allow negotiations on the plan. I say clearly at the beginning of the discussion - if the plan is not accepted I will not withdraw it and bring alternative plans. The corona is neither a political nor a matter of populism "It is a matter of life and death. I suggest to anyone who claims that it is possible otherwise, to take tours of the hospitals, the corona wards, and see the situation."
Eldstein added that he had asked the cabinet secretary to consult with him before the health ministry's proposal was put to a government vote: "If they turn the plan into Swiss cheese, I will withdraw the proposal. It will mean that from next Tuesday there will be no restriction on the public. "In the doctrine of 'herd infection', and the price will be several thousand dead. I will not give in to the pressure just to be liked by such and such people."
Minister Ophir Akunis attacked the Ministry of Health's proposal: "A full general closure is a disaster for the Israeli economy. It is not a tight restraint, it is a tight crush! A balance must be found between the needs of the economy and health needs, so immediately after the holiday, the economy must be allowed to return." "Restaurants, hotels and B & Bs and of course abolish the illogical 500-meter limit. If the Ministry of Health's proposal does not change, I will not support the proposal for a full closure."
