Fourth coronavirus wave in Israel rattles Bennett’s leadership
New Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is challenged by his own ministers over the management of the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Less than two months since the “change government” was sworn in, it is rattled by the fourth wave of the coronavirus in its Delta variant, now striking Israel. Each day, the number of the infected and seriously ill increases, the effect of the vaccinations is waning, and this puts Prime Minister Naftali Bennett under scrutiny for allegedly mishandling the crisis.
Bennett has been criticized for failing to take action since the infection rates have begun to rise in the past month, and preferring a reactive strategy, claiming that he is in control of the situation.
Bennett has presented a contrasting position to the policy of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has claimed that the vaccines aren’t as effective as they were and that the strategy must be different. Two weeks ago, he took a jab at Netanyahu, saying to the press, “Anyone who hoped that vaccines on their own would solve the problem — they won’t. We need a strategy that brings as many vaccines as possible on the one hand, but on the other also understands the limitations of the vaccines.”
Senior officials at the Ministry of Health were surprised at this statement, which they thought damages the continuing vaccine drive among teens 12 and up, who meet the criteria to be vaccinated, but refuse to do so.
