The Palestinian Authority (PA) began administering COVID-19 vaccines received from Israel on Tuesday, as some US lawmakers continue to comment on Israel’s vaccination policy vis-a-vis the Palestinians.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health began administering the vaccine to frontline medical workers in the West Bank, the PA-run WAFA News Agency reported. Israel gave 5,000 vaccines to the PA this week, according to The Associated Press. WAFA did not report where the vaccines came from.
The rate by which Palestinians have been vaccinated compared to Israelis is a source of controversy. Israel has the highest vaccination rate of any country in the world and began the drive in December. Israel has administered 58.83 vaccine doses per 100 people, according to Our World in Data Our World in Data. Vaccines typically require two doses to be completely effective.
The Palestinian territory the West Bank, on the other hand, only began giving out the vaccines today. Israel controls the West Bank’s borders. Internally, it is divided between Israeli military and PA control. The United Nations considers the West Bank occupied by Israel, though Israel disputes this. The PA has diplomatic recognition from numerous states in the region and around the world.
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