Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lambasted opposition leaders on Monday and claimed they are “leading to anarchy” following several calls by lawmakers to not adhere to government instructions regarding the spread of coronavirus.
“Unfortunately, politicians are exploiting the situation for political capital by calling not to follow the instructions,” Netanyahu said during a visit to the IDF Home Front Command headquarters tasked with managing the pandemic.
“Dangerous and irresponsible statements by public representatives could lead to disobedience to Health Ministry and Israel Police instructions - and as a result, to a loss of lives,” the premier wrote in a letter sent to lawmakers Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Ayman Odeh and Avigdor Liberman, according to outlet Haaretz.
After the expected night-time curfew on 40 cities and communities was delayed to Tuesday, Netanyahu stated that the government “wants to avoid a [nationwide] lockdown, until the end of the week, we’ll formulate a plan for the holidays.”
Netanyahu warned that the morbidity rate is high and possibly increasing.
2 View gallery
Police closing-off roads in Bnei Brak during a coronavirus lockdown
(Photo: Motti Kimchi)
He also claimed that protesters outside his official residence in Jerusalem are turning off their cellphones to avoid Shin Bet tracking that would put them in isolation over exposure to coronavirus at the mass gatherings.
“They shut off their phones,” the premier said, adding that others are doing likewise to avoid detection.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who followed Netanyahu with an address, commended the IDF and its cooperation with the Health Ministry and coronavirus czar Prof. Ronni Gamzu.
“With each passing week, we will continue to improve this issue. Our goal, eventually, is to break the chain of infection, quarantine the right people and leave them there for the minimal time possible as determined by the Health Ministry,” he said.