PM Bennett calls on Arab citizens of Israel: “Get vaccinated today”
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett today made a sincere and heartfelt personal and public appeal to all Israeli Arabs who have not yet been vaccinated against the Coronavirus to go out and do so now.
Heads of different religious communities in Israel get a COVID-19 vaccine at the Ziv Hospital in Tzfat, Dec. 24, 2020. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90.
Israel’s prime minister is genuinely concerned with the welfare of all of his country’s residents and with their avoiding infecting with Covid-19.
“Dear citizens of Israel from the Arab sector, I am appealing to you with an important personal request. Your lives and those of the members of your families are very important to me,” said Bennett.
“The Delta variant is sweeping the world and has caused severe morbidity and many fatalities in many nations,” added Bennett. “The Delta strain is also active in the State of Israel. Older people are the most vulnerable: Father and mother, grandfather and grandmother. Therefore, the State of Israel has acquired booster vaccines, the third dose, in order to protect the over-60 population.”
Israel has been giving people over the age of 60 a third Coronavirus vaccination. The vaccinations began in earnest last Sunday. More than 400,000 Israelis over 60 have already received their third dose. The WHO says that 60% of Israeli adults have been vaccinated so far.
The Prime Minister went on to say that the rate of vaccination in the Arab sector is too low.
“I call on the young people who have not been vaccinated at all, and there are many of them, go today and get vaccinated,” he urged. “This is how you will neither be infected nor infect others. This will save the lives of your loved ones.”
“I rely on you to go out and do this,” said Bennet ending his comments with “Shukran jazilan,” which means thank you very much in Arabic.
Bennet made similar comments at the start of today cabinet meeting, noting that tomorrow will be the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul, the month of mercy and forgiveness “At this time of year, we all have an opportunity to honor the prayer ‘Our Father, our King, withhold the plague from your inheritance’ – go get vaccinated,” said Bennett.
The Prime Minister also explained that the Delta variant is spreading rapidly worldwide, but fortunately, those vaccinated are at a very low risk of becoming seriously ill. He added that countries such as Germany, Britain and the US are also moving toward giving a third booster vaccination for this very reason.
“Last week 420,000 Israelis over the age of 60 were vaccinated, which is more than a third of the total target audience, and I am happy to announce that today we will pass half a million vaccinated. This is a tremendous achievement, but the pace needs to be increased even further,” said the Prime Minister.
Bennet reiterated his call for all those over 60 to get vaccinated, either for a third or a first time. He explained that people over 60 can go to their local health plan’s clinic and get vaccinated even without an appointment.
“Once you have been vaccinated, you will be able to go out again, with masks of course. However, it would be a pity to be harmed and – Heaven forbid – die just due to carelessness in the coming days,” said Bennett.
