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As vaccinations begin, Israel may offer Palestinians surplus

Israeli health authorities are signaling they might offer the Palestinian Authority surplus vaccines against the coronavirus.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein (L) arrive at the Maccabi Healthcare Services vaccine complex, handling the COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine, in Israel's Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv on December 13, 2020. (Photo by Marc Israel SELLEM / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch said yesterday that if Israel gets more vaccines than it needs, it may offer the excess to the Palestinian Authority. Speaking at an interview with the public Kan radio station, Kisch said, “Should we see that Israel’s demands have been met and we have additional capability, we will certainly consider helping the Palestinian Authority.” He also said that doing so would help prevent a resurgence of outbreaks in Israel proper.

Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital may send vaccines it purchased from Russia to the Palestinian Authority. The hospital reportedly ordered some 1.5 million Sputnik 5 vaccines and paid in advance without authorization from the Health Ministry. It is now in doubt whether Israeli health authorities will approve the Russian vaccine.

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