Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a prominent Iranian cleric, recently succeeded in shocking his followers by saying publicly that, "If Israel has the coronavirus vaccine, if the treatment is unique and there is no substitute, then this is not an obstacle.”
The statement managed to rile up the Revolutionary Guard Corps' top brass, who in turn urged the administration to convince Shirazi, a close friend of Supreme Leader Ali Khomeini, to "apologize" for his words, which it did - after three days.
But Iran's business sector and youth quickly showed support for the aging cleric.
It's amazing to discover how much the entire Arab world is following Israel's efforts against the coronavirus.
Many of these nations, mainly ones with which Jerusalem has no official ties, are even cooperating with Israeli health officials to a certain degree.
Doctors from Morocco to Iraq wish to learn how Israel is dealing with the epidemic, many writing to Israeli colleagues they have met at international conventions, trying to exact a promise to share "once there is a breakthrough."
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Palestinians spray disinfectant as a precaution against the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, in the streets of Al Nusairat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip
(Photo: EPA)
The Arab world does not look towards Europe, which is failing to deal with the virus, or the U.S., which seems to have missed the boat on efficient measures entirely; they only look to their long-time enemy.
Even one of the Persian Gulf states, whose name cannot be published, sent several protective suits to Israel in exchange for medial information.
Because of Israel's methods of dealing with the virus, the cold relationship between Jerusalem and Jordanian King Abdullah II's palace in Amman have seemed to warm up behind the scenes, with the kingdom following closely developments.
Israeli doctors are updating Jordanian, Palestinian, Egyptian and Persian Gulf counterparts on all the latest findings around the clock.
The Arab nations seem to generally repeat every step Israel takes, albeit a little more harshly. Israel imposes a partial lockdown, they enlist the army and close the streets from 9pm till morning. We allow citizens to only go out and buy food and medicine, and the Arab world does the same.
This could also be explored from the other direction, with some nations taking drastic premature steps ahead of Israel.
Iran was the first to release over 70,000 prisoners, many political inmates, out of fear for a mass infection in its 32 prisons.
Syria followed suit, and suddenly pardoned thousands of prisoners in its prisons.
Egypt, which already has four confirmed virus deaths in its very crowded prisons, is more reluctant about mass pardons.
The same is true in Jordan, which has only released shundred without too much fanfare. In Israel, there is still no official policy regarding the release of prisoners.