Israel hatches plan to vaccinate Palestinian workers
Israel’s Health Ministry is reportedly awaiting permission to use the country's stock of Moderna vaccines for Palestinians working in Israel.
Israel keeps sending mixed signals on vaccinating Palestinians. There have been positive signs as the country advances on vaccinating the 120,000 West Bank residents who work in Israel. It has also offered some vaccine doses to the Palestinian Authority to vaccinate health workers. However, there is still no comprehensive policy on the matter.
Israeli health authorities have advocated vaccinating Palestinians working in Israel, especially now that the country has started easing nationwide lockdown restrictions. Many health experts also recommend assisting the Palestinian Authority in its vaccination campaign for the greater good.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today it is offering what it called a symbolic number of doses for medical staff in the Palestinian Authority and Honduras.
This morning, Israel started vaccinating Palestinians in east Jerusalem who have Israeli residency cards but live beyond the security barrier. Magen David Adom (the Israeli Red Cross) handled the vaccination drive, which took place at the Qalandiya crossing. Magen David Adom reportedly chose the site for its accessibility to those who live beyond the barrier. Previously, on Feb. 11, Magen David Adom vaccinated some 400 east Jerusalem Palestinians and Palestinian workers at the same location.
