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Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met on Thursday with Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz and senior health ministry officials to discuss the government's response to the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Participants included the Director General of the Health Ministry, Professor Nachman Ash, Head of Public Health Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis and coronavirus czar Professor Salman Zarka.
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Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during a press conference in August
(Photo: GPO)
Bennett came under fire for comments he made that seemingly sidelined health officials who urged further mitigation measures be imposed, in order to slow the spread of the virus.
Israeli hospitals have seen record breaking numbers of serious illness primarily among non-vaccinated Israelis.
"The prime minister and the Health Minister highlighted in the meeting, how important they regard the advice of medical professionals even when it differs from government policy," a joint statement released following the meeting said.
"There was no disagreement between the political and professional participants in the meeting," the statement went on to say. "The political echelon must take into account a wide range of relevant considerations and is responsible for decisions made on the national level. The prime minister expressed his appreciation for the Health Ministry officials and staff and said he will take steps to strengthen the cooperation that has contributed to the fight against the pandemic."
In a briefing with reporters after his speech on Monday to the UN General Assembly, Bennett said his government's policy is to keep as much of the economy open and avoid restrictions that may increase unemployment despite calls by the panel of experts advising the cabinet impose further restrictions on public gatherings.
"I don't accept this 'who cares' attitude regarding the risk to finance and jobs," Bennett said.
"These health experts will not make decisions on the national level. We – the government – will. When I asked them why we should cancel a popular concert because of the behavior of a particular section of the population, they stuttered and had no real answer," he said referring to the low rate of vaccination in the Israeli Arab sector which makes up over 40% of morbidity.
In his speech to the UN, Bennett said that in the fight against the pandemic, all aspects of life must be taken into account and not health considerations alone.
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Prime Minister Naftali Bennett delivers his first speech to the UN General Assembly on Monday
(Photo: AFP)
"Running a country during a pandemic is not only about health. It's about carefully balancing all aspects of life that are affected by the coronavirus, especially jobs and education. The only person that has a good vantage point of all of this – is the national leader of any given county," Bennett said.
First published: 18:48, 09.30.21