Director of Israel’s Health Minsitry, Professor Chezi Levi spoke about the beginning of the campaign to vaccinate the populace and said: “The incredible efforts that the men and women of the Health Ministry have undertaken in the past few months, with the help of the Prime Minister and the Health Minister has not been simple by any means. We are among the first people in the world to receive the vaccines and who are using them. This is a very moving evening which is bringing to a close many struggles. There will be enough vaccines for all Israelis.”

Nearly 4,000 Israelis tested positive for the Covid-19 over the weekend. On Friday, 2,815 people tested positive and an additional 1,064 people tested positive on Shabbos. The total number of Israelis who tested positive came to 3,879. Their are currently 732 people hospitalized with the Coronavirus in Israeli hospitals. 445 of them are in serious condition among them are 109 who are on respirators. Over the course of the weekend, 17 people died due tot he virus bringing the death total to 3,070 since the virus began in Israel back in March.

The Moderna vaccine against the Coronavirus was ratified by the FDA for emergency use.

Israel’s Health Ministry announced that as of Sunday, the 20th of December, all countries across the globe will be considered “red” countries with regard to regulations involving those who return from abroad. Therefore, anyone coming back to Israel from abroad will have to enter into self-isolation for a period of 14 days, unless they undergo two Covid-19 tests and they both come back negative. In such a case as that, the period of isolation will only be 10 days after returning. anyone cooming back from countries that were classified as “green” countries until today, will not have to enter into self-isolation if they return prior to December 26th.

Israel’s Finanace Minister Yisrael Katz made a statement ahead of the upcoming cabinet meeting that will be taking place tomorrow. “I will stand against the closure of the economy and trade, and will only allow such a closure to take place in “red” and “orange” cities. There is no reason to close down shops and businesses in green cities. The economy just recently opened up again and we need to allow business and store owners to earn a living. We need to allow consumers to purchase items once again.”

Interior Minister and head of the Shas Faction Aryeh Deri called upon Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz to “find a solution to their differences tonight in order to avoid the dissolution of the government and the call for new elections. We need to allow this government to keep working. We cannot, under any circumstances, go to another round of elections at this time. We are still dealing with the Corona pandemic, infection rates are rising, we will soon be placing new restrictions on the populace, and we have an urgent need to continue to keep working to support the economy.”

Amir Abu Hussein, the 25-year-old man who was shot in his place of business in Baqa al-Garbiyye, was pronounced dead in Hillel Yaffe Hospital in Hadera. Earlier, two of his relatives, Ahmen and Muhammed Shrakia from Jatt, were shot and killed while they were driving behind the ambulance that was taking Amir to the hospital.

A man in his 30s was shot and seriously injured during an act of violence that broke out in the Bedouin town of Arara in the Negev. An additional four people were moderately injured in the incident. Volunteers from United Hatzalah and ambulance teams from Magen David Adom treated the injured and transported them to Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva.

A one-year-old infant was moderately injured after it fell off of an ATV near Havat Ronit in Samaria. United Hatzalah volunteers and Magen David Adom ambulance teams treated the injured child who was transported to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba.

A man in his 30s was seriously injured after he was stabbed on Golda Meir Street in Kiryat Yam. United Hatzalah volunteers and Magen David Adom ambulance teams treated him at the scene and transported him to Rambam Hospital for further care.

A 17-year-old boy was seriously injured after he was involved in an accident on HaVatikim Street in Petach Tikvah. United Hatzalah volunteers and Magen David Adom ambulance teams treated the boy who was transported to the hospital for further treatment.

MK David Bitton, who was hospitalized in Sheba Medical Center after having contracted Corona, continues to be in serious but stable condition. He is connected to an ecmo machine and is aware of his surroundings. His family is asking the public to continue to pray for his welfare.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)