jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Israel Police shoot at vehicle for refusing to stop at checkpoint

The driver and passengers were detained for questioning by Israel Police .

The driver and passengers were detained for questioning by Israel Police.
Israel Police shot at a vehicle near the Jerusalem light rail station on Yekutiel Adam Street after refusing to stop at a checkpoint.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Trump will announce guidelines on reopening the economy Thursday

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that data suggested the county had passed the peak on new infections with coronavirus, and said he would announce "new guidelines" for reopening the economy at a news conference on Thursday."We have passed the peak on new cases," Trump told his daily news briefing. "It's very exciting," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Gantz: I did not enter negotiations to deal with High Court

Likud is demanding that the position of foreign minister remains in its hands , while Blue and White is seeking @ @ @ @ @ return for such a concession .
The major point of contention between the two parties @ @ @ @ @ due to pressure from the right-wing Yamina party .

Likud is demanding that the position of foreign minister remains in its hands, while Blue and White is seeking a substantial ministerial portfolio in return for such a concession. The major point of contention between the two parties is the Justice Ministry, due to pressure from the right-wing Yamina party.
Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz addressed the ongoing negotiations with Likud on the formation of a government, saying that he did not wish to deal with the High Court.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Iranian vessels come dangerously close to US military ships

The U.S. military said in a statement the Iranian ships approached six U.S. military ships while they were conducting integration @ @ @ @ @ international waters .
At one point , the Iranian vessels came as close at 10 @ @ @ @ @ Guard cutter Maui .

Eleven vessels from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came dangerously close to U.S. military ships in the Gulf, the U.S. military said on Wednesday, calling the moves "dangerous and provocative."
The U.S. military said in a statement the Iranian ships approached six U.S. military ships while they were conducting integration operations with Army helicopters in international waters. At one point, the Iranian vessels came as close at 10 yards to the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Maui.
The U.S. ships issued multiple warnings through bridge-to-bridge radio, blasts from the ships' horns and long range acoustic noise maker devices. The Iranian ships left after about an hour, the statement added.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Benny Gantz's mandate to form a government has expired

The mandate of Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to form a government expired at night night Wednesday .
President @ @ @ @ @ initiate a three-week period in which any Knesset member can form a government , and @ @ @ @ @ would go to a fourth election .
Unlike the last time the mandate ran out @ @ @ @ @ Gantz and Netanyahu jointly asked for more time , this time , neither did .
@ @ @ @ @ the prime minister ’ s Jerusalem residence passed midnight , but Gantz not joining the @ @ @ @ @ sign they were not going well .

The mandate of Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to form a government expired at midnight Wednesday. President Reuven Rivlin is expected to initiate a three-week period in which any Knesset member can form a government, and if none do, Israel would go to a fourth election.
Unlike the last time the mandate ran out on Monday night, when Gantz and Netanyahu jointly asked for more time, this time, neither did. Their negotiating teams remained at the prime minister’s Jerusalem residence passed midnight, but Gantz not joining the talks was seen as a sign they were not going well.
Progress was made in talks on Monday night and Tuesday, reportedly including a concession by Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to the Likud's demand that the Knesset would be dissolved if the High Court Of Justice rules that Netanyahu cannot form a government.But Netanyahu is now reportedly concerned about what may happen when his rotation period as prime minister ends after a year and a half, and Gantz’s begins, with the former becoming deputy prime minister.The position of deputy prime minister is akin to that of any other minister, and regular government ministers are required to resign if under indictment, as Netanyahu currently is.The Likud is therefore demanding legislation to amend the Basic Law: Government that would prevent such an eventuality, something which Blue and White sees as efforts to circumvent the High Court which it is reticent to do.Kan News reported Wednesday night that Blue and White sources were insisting that “we will not let Netanyahu turn the coalition agreement into an immunity [from prosecution] agreement.”Likud is also demanding that the position of foreign minister remains in its hands, while Blue and White is seeking a substantial ministerial portfolio in return for such a concession.Another problematic aspect of the agreement is a legislative mechanism which would guarantee that Gantz would serve as prime minister once Netanyahu’s period ends after 18 months.The Likud is now worried about this legislation however and is disputing how they should be implemented.Gantz's reported concession to allow new elections if the High Court rules Netanyahu cannot form a government since he is under criminal indictment angered his former political allies on Monday and Tuesday.“I am not prepared to believe that Blue and White would give Bibi an immunity law,” Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid wrote on social media in response to the reports. “Even the Right would not give Bibi the personal immunity law that he wanted.”Telem leader Moshe Ya’alon told Gantz via social media that his intentions may be good, but he has been tricked by a cynical criminal trying to evade justice via legislation that would make him into a despot who is above the law.“It is not too late to regret a mistake in navigation,” Ya’alon wrote.Gantz responded to his former Blue and White colleagues, saying "no one can preach to me about politics, and no one will take me away from my deep belief that Israel must come first."In his role as Knesset speaker, Gantz did not convene a special Knesset session that was expected to take place on Monday during Passover, as a gesture to Likud that he is serious about reaching an agreement.The Knesset will convene on Thursday to pass legislation related to the coronavirus . Next week, Yesh Atid-Telem MKs intend to submit bills that would prevent Netanyahu from forming a government. It will be Gantz’s decision whether to bring them to a vote.While Gantz faced pressure from his Left, Netanyahu was pressured from the Right. During a phone meeting with Yamina head Naftali Bennett and other Yamina MKs, the prime minister vowed that in any agreement, he would not give up control over the Judicial Selection Committee.Right-wing former Blue and White MKs Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Hauser promised Netanyahu on Monday that if he signed a unity government agreement with Gantz, they would help him on legal issues.Hendel met earlier Monday with the heads of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria, who tried unsuccessfully to persuade him and Hauser to join a 61 MK, right-wing coalition without Blue and White. Jordan Valley Regional Council head David Elhayani also held a separate telephone call with Hauser this week.The application of sovereignty over West Bank settlements is in jeopardy unless Netanyahu forms a right-wing, 61-member government with Hendel and Hauser now, the settler leaders warned on Monday.“The situation is now in their hands,” Yesah director-general Yigal Dilmoni told The Jerusalem Post.Tovah Lazaroff and Leon Sverdlov contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Health Minister Litzman tests negative for coronavirus

The minister is expected to undergo additional screening for the coronavirus .

The minister is expected to undergo additional screening for the coronavirus.
Israel's Health Minister Ya'acov Litzman was tested again for coronarivus after contracting the virus earlier this month, according to a report released by Ynet.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Israel Police remove road blocks in Bnei Brak

Israel Police forces stationed in the haredi ( ultra orthodox ) city of Bnei Brak began removing road blocks used @ @ @ @ @ on the city to curb the spread of coronavirus , Ynet reported on Wednesday evening @ @ @ @ @ the police might mean that the curfew will soon be lifted despite no official government @ @ @ @ @ of Wednesday night.Police officers are still on patrol , ensuring that the curfew is still @ @ @ @ @ stated .

Israel Police forces stationed in the haredi (ultra orthodox) city of Bnei Brak began removing road blocks used to enforce the curfew imposed on the city to curb the spread of coronavirus, Ynet reported on Wednesday evening.
The actions taken by the police might mean that the curfew will soon be lifted despite no official government statement on the topic as of Wednesday night.Police officers are still on patrol, ensuring that the curfew is still being upheld, the report stated.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Libya's government imposes 10-day curfew to combat coronavirus

Libya 's internationally recognized government will begin a 10-day curfew from Friday , Reuters reported on Wednesday .
The curfew @ @ @ @ @ a day in these ten days .

Libya's internationally recognized government will begin a 10-day curfew from Friday, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
The curfew will be upheld 24 hours a day in these ten days.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--US senator: Apple, Google must clarify how tracing is not invasive

Smartphone software makers Alphabet's Google and Apple need to convince the public that their efforts to build apps to help track who has been exposed to the new coronavirus will not lead to a violation of their privacy, Senator Richard Blumenthal said in a statement on Wednesday."Apple and Google have a lot of work to do to convince a rightfully skeptical public that they are fully serious about the privacy and security of their contact tracing efforts," he said in an email statement.Contact tracing is used to control the spread of infectious diseases and was boosted recently when Google and Apple said they were collaborating on apps that can identify people who have crossed paths with a contagious person and alert them.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--US coronavirus deaths top 30,000

US coronavirus deaths top 30,000

Total US coronavirus deaths topped 30,000 on Wednesday, after a record single-day increase in COVID-19-related fatalities the prior day, according to a Reuters tally.The United States reported 2,364 deaths on Tuesday, far above the previous daily high of 2,069 recorded on April 10, according to a Reuters tally.US deaths on Wednesday stood at 30,039, up 1,593 with many states yet to report. Cases topped 615,000 in the United States and 2 million globally.Despite the spike in deaths, there were tentative signs in some parts of the country that the outbreak was beginning to ebb.Governors of about 20 states with few coronavirus cases believe they may be ready to start the process of reopening their economies by President Donald Trump's May 1 target date, a top US health official said on Wednesday.Of the 50 US states, 17 reported fewer than 100 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.Governors in harder-hit states - New York, California, Louisiana, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Michigan - said there was a need for more widespread testing before starting to end America's coronavirus shutdown, which has thrown millions out of work with the closing of restaurants, businesses and schools.Health officials have noted that death figures are a lagging indicator of the outbreak, coming after the most severely ill patients fall sick, and do not mean stay-at-home restrictions are failing to curb transmissions.New York state and some other hard-hit areas continue to report sharp decreases in hospitalizations and numbers of patients on ventilators, although front-line healthcare workers and resources remained under extraordinary stress.Officials have also cautioned that coronavirus-related death figures are likely an undercount due to people dying at home or in nursing homes who were never tested for the virus.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Yoav Galant hosted family for Passover despite coronavirus restrictions

Likud MK Yoav Galant hosted his family in his home for the Passover holiday, despite coronavirus restrictions stating that people were not allowed to host those who do not already live with them, according to Israel's N12 News.This comes after President Reuven Rivlin and Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman did the same thing, and possibly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--New York coronavirus hospitalizations down for second day

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that hospitalizations due to the novel coronavirus declined for a second day and that his state's healthcare system has stabilized to the point that it could give ventilators to other states.Cuomo, speaking at a daily briefing, also disclosed an outline of how he would begin to reopen businesses, starting with the most essential businesses and those where the risk of infection spread was smallest.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Pompeo urges Chinese diplomat on full transparency on coronavirus outbreak

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday stressed to China's top diplomat the need for full transparency and information sharing to fight against the coronavirus outbreak, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.In a telephone conversation with Yang Jiechi, Pompeo talked about the 'high importance' the Unites States attached to China's facilitation of medical supply exports to meet critical demand in the United States.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--127th Israeli dies of coronavirus: 94-year-old man

In preparation for the discussion , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the various parties to try and reach an agreement about what that strategy might look like .
Until now , there have been two opposing viewpoints .
The Health Ministry believes that returning to work and daily life can be done only when the country sees 30 to 50 new patients per day .
As of Wednesday , there were still hundreds of new patients being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus every day .
The ministry argues that if the country opens too hastily , all its work to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” will be undone .
On the flip side , the Finance Ministry argues that the economy can not take much more of the current restrictions .
More than a million people are out of work and the unemployment rate is 26.1 % .
The ministry argues that Israel should move fast , or the economy may not be able to rebound .
Over recent weeks , the National Security Council ( NSC ) has been presented with plans by the Finance and Health ministries and teams of academicians , scientists , mathematicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are at odds with one another – and has considered all these plans .
Deputy National Security Adviser Eytan Ben-David will present the prime minister with several alternatives .
Ministers and representatives from the NSC , Health and Finance ministries and other experts are expected to participate in the discussion , which is expected to be very long .
It is expected that any phase I exit strategy will involve easing restrictions on workers , especially in the high-tech , finance and industrial sectors .
The Finance Ministry is proposing opening small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Health Ministry is opposed .
Another debate centers on hairdressers and beauty salons .
The Health Ministry is completely opposed because of the obvious contact between clients and staff .
However , on the other side , officials are asking why they can not open under guidelines provided by the Health Ministry .
Of the people who will present ideas is Minister of Defense Naftali Bennett .
He is expected to call on the government to begin opening the economy , including educational institutions , as early as Sunday at the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open almost 100 % of Israel 's businesses except for those centered on entertainment and recreation and large shopping centers but recommend keeping employees over the age of 65 or people with underlying health problems at home .
To help keep coronavirus in check , Bennett is expected to include in his plan a series of safety measures , such as maintaining social distancing , keep close watch on those over the age of 65 and in nursing homes , increasing the number of standard PCR tests and taking serological tests and allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or cities that have a high-rate of infection .
Over the holiday , several Arab villages in northern Israel were identified as having a high number of infected people .
Residents were asked to stay home by the Health Ministry on Wednesday .
The epicenter of the outbreak is the 12,234 resident-strong Dir el-Assad , where 23 people tested positive , in addition to another four from Nahf , three from Ba'ana and one from Majd al-Kroum .
Joint List Health Committee head MK Ahmed Tibi said Wednesday afternoon that he had reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eli Bin and Dir el-Assad council head Ahmed Dabbah to open a drive-in coronavirus testing facility in the village .
Dr. Tibi reportedly asked the village 's residents to call MDA and get tested in case symptoms appear .
`` We have all joined to combat the spread of coronavirus , '' he said , calling on citizens to `` follow the Health Ministry 's instructions , stay home and avoid gatherings . ''
In general , the Health Ministry conducted more than 11,501 tests on April 14 - the most coronavirus tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the pandemic .
The day before it took 10,401 .
Until now , the country was struggling to hit the goal of 10,000 and eventually 30,000 tests per day because of lack of supplies .
But working together with the Defense and Foreign ministries and the Mossad , test components have been arriving .
A shipment of reagents to conduct 100,000 coronavirus checks and 50,000 personal protective suits for medical professionals landed in Israel from South Korea on Wednesday , according to the Defense Ministry .
Both the reagents , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s DNA from the samples and thus identify if a person being tested is positive , and the suits were sent to medical labs across the country .
The additional tests are reflected in the number of people diagnosed with the novel virus .
As of Wednesday night , the country ’ s death toll hit 130 people .
A total of 12,501 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed by the Health Ministry , including 180 patients in serious condition , 133 requiring ventilation .
Some 2,563 individuals have recovered from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of Passover , which is usually celebrated by many with the festival of Mimouna , a traditional Moroccan post-holiday greeting that has become popular across communities in Israel .
In order to prevent people from gathering to celebrate both , the government placed the country under a general lockdown : intercity travelling was banned , as well as travelling between Jerusalem pre-defined neighborhoods until 5 a.m. on Thursday .
Wolfson Medical Center in Holon confirmed that among those infected is an eight-day-old baby , who was born at Hadassah Medical Center on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was brought to Wolfson because he had a high fever , but he is currently in good medical condition .
His mother is also infected .
Moreover , supermarket bread departments and bakeries were asked to stay closed .
Police reported many Israelis who broke restrictions over the holiday on Wednesday .
Police reported that 3,029 tickets were administered .
Still , a Passover-like lockdown is likely to be implemented again for Memorial Day through the end of Israeli Independence Day .
Memorial Day , Yom Hazikaron in Hebrew , starts April 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 at sundown .
The purpose of the expected move is to prevent people from attending memorial ceremonies en masse , holding large gatherings in cemeteries or throwing barbeques and other parties in large groups and in public spaces , as is common on Independence Day .
The decision to implement restrictions will be based in part on how well the public does or does not adhere to the Passover restrictions and whether the number of people infected with coronavirus per day continues at its current rate or decreases or increases .

The government will convene a special hearing on Thursday at 3 p.m. to discuss the country’s exit strategy, a plan to gradually remove the restrictions that have been placed on the public to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus
In preparation for the discussion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the various parties to try and reach an agreement about what that strategy might look like. Until now, there have been two opposing viewpoints.
The Health Ministry believes that returning to work and daily life can be done only when the country sees 30 to 50 new patients per day. As of Wednesday, there were still hundreds of new patients being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus every day. The ministry argues that if the country opens too hastily, all its work to reduce infection and “flatten the curve” will be undone.
On the flip side, the Finance Ministry argues that the economy cannot take much more of the current restrictions. More than a million people are out of work and the unemployment rate is 26.1%. The ministry argues that Israel should move fast, or the economy may not be able to rebound.
Over recent weeks, the National Security Council (NSC) has been presented with plans by the Finance and Health ministries and teams of academicians, scientists, mathematicians, economists and others – many of which are at odds with one another – and has considered all these plans. Deputy National Security Adviser Eytan Ben-David will present the prime minister with several alternatives.
Ministers and representatives from the NSC, Health and Finance ministries and other experts are expected to participate in the discussion, which is expected to be very long.
It is expected that any phase I exit strategy will involve easing restrictions on workers, especially in the high-tech, finance and industrial sectors. The Finance Ministry is proposing opening small stand-alone stores, as well, though the Health Ministry is opposed.
Another debate centers on hairdressers and beauty salons. The Health Ministry is completely opposed because of the obvious contact between clients and staff. However, on the other side, officials are asking why they cannot open under guidelines provided by the Health Ministry.
Of the people who will present ideas is Minister of Defense Naftali Bennett. He is expected to call on the government to begin opening the economy, including educational institutions, as early as Sunday at the coronavirus cabinet meeting. He will push to open almost 100% of Israel's businesses except for those centered on entertainment and recreation and large shopping centers but recommend keeping employees over the age of 65 or people with underlying health problems at home.
Bennett has stressed that the economic damage is infinitely worse than the medical risk of coronavirus , which he believes is manageable. He said that continued closure will cause serious injury to the State of Israel and its citizens.
To help keep coronavirus in check, Bennett is expected to include in his plan a series of safety measures, such as maintaining social distancing, keep close watch on those over the age of 65 and in nursing homes, increasing the number of standard PCR tests and taking serological tests and allowing for targeted closures of buildings, neighborhoods or cities that have a high-rate of infection.
Over the holiday, several Arab villages in northern Israel were identified as having a high number of infected people. Residents were asked to stay home by the Health Ministry on Wednesday.
The epicenter of the outbreak is the 12,234 resident-strong Dir el-Assad, where 23 people tested positive, in addition to another four from Nahf, three from Ba'ana and one from Majd al-Kroum.
Joint List Health Committee head MK Ahmed Tibi said Wednesday afternoon that he had reached an agreement with Magen David Adom head Eli Bin and Dir el-Assad council head Ahmed Dabbah to open a drive-in coronavirus testing facility in the village.
Dr. Tibi reportedly asked the village's residents to call MDA and get tested in case symptoms appear. "We have all joined to combat the spread of coronavirus," he said, calling on citizens to "follow the Health Ministry's instructions, stay home and avoid gatherings."
In general, the Health Ministry conducted more than 11,501 tests on April 14 - the most coronavirus tests taken in a single day since the start of the pandemic. The day before it took 10,401.
Until now, the country was struggling to hit the goal of 10,000 and eventually 30,000 tests per day because of lack of supplies. But working together with the Defense and Foreign ministries and the Mossad, test components have been arriving.
A shipment of reagents to conduct 100,000 coronavirus checks and 50,000 personal protective suits for medical professionals landed in Israel from South Korea on Wednesday, according to the Defense Ministry. Both the reagents, the chemical compound used to extract the virus’s DNA from the samples and thus identify if a person being tested is positive, and the suits were sent to medical labs across the country.
The additional tests are reflected in the number of people diagnosed with the novel virus. As of Thursday morning, the country’s death toll hit 134 people.
A total of 12,591 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed by the Health Ministry, including 174 patients in serious condition, 140 requiring ventilation. Some 2,624 individuals have recovered from the virus.
Wednesday night marked the end of Passover, which is usually celebrated by many with the festival of Mimouna, a traditional Moroccan post-holiday greeting that has become popular across communities in Israel. In order to prevent people from gathering to celebrate both, the government placed the country under a general lockdown: intercity travelling was banned, as well as travelling between Jerusalem pre-defined neighborhoods until 5 a.m. on Thursday. Wolfson Medical Center in Holon confirmed that among those infected is an eight-day-old baby, who was born at Hadassah Medical Center on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. The baby was brought to Wolfson because he had a high fever, but he is currently in good medical condition. His mother is also infected.
Moreover, supermarket bread departments and bakeries were asked to stay closed.
Police reported many Israelis who broke restrictions over the holiday on Wednesday. Police reported that 3,029 tickets were administered.
Still, a Passover-like lockdown is likely to be implemented again for Memorial Day through the end of Israeli Independence Day.
Memorial Day, Yom Hazikaron in Hebrew, starts April 27 at night and Independence Day ends April 29 at sundown.
The purpose of the expected move is to prevent people from attending memorial ceremonies en masse, holding large gatherings in cemeteries or throwing barbeques and other parties in large groups and in public spaces, as is common on Independence Day.
The decision to implement restrictions will be based in part on how well the public does or does not adhere to the Passover restrictions and whether the number of people infected with coronavirus per day continues at its current rate or decreases or increases.
Leon Sverdlov contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Health Ministry performed 11,501 coronavirus tests on Tuesday

The Health Ministry reported on Wednesday that it was able to perform 11,501 coronavirus tests on Tuesday and it preformed @ @ @ @ @ The report added that this means the ministry was able to reach its goal of @ @ @ @ @ the country .

The Health Ministry reported on Wednesday that it was able to perform 11,501 coronavirus tests on Tuesday and it preformed 10,401 tests on Monday.
The report added that this means the ministry was able to reach its goal of preforming 10,000 daily checks across the country.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Jordan says will ease lockdown by allowing more businesses to open

Jordan's Prime Minister Omar al Razzaz said on Wednesday the government would soon ease a tight lockdown imposed to stem the spread of coronavirus by allowing more businesses and industries to return to work.However, it will not yet lift a curfew imposed nearly a month ago that restricts the movements of Jordan's 10 million people, Razzaz said.The prime minister said the new measures could also include allowing people to move more freely in some regions outside the capital, but he warned that they could be rescinded if Jordan sees a further spike in cases of the coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--US defense secretary: China still withholding information on coronavirus

China is still withholding information related to the coronavirus needed to inform the global response, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a television interview on Wednesday, as he called on Beijing to share its data."Clearly, the Chinese could have been more transparent earlier and shared much more of the data. We would have (had) a better understanding of this virus and then how to deal with it," Esper said in an interview with Fox News."Even today we see them withholding information and so I think we need to do more and continue to press them to share."


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Defeat virus first, criticize later, WHO envoy says after US funding halt

The World Health Organization’s COVID-19 special envoy on Wednesday urged countries to focus on defeating the deadly virus after the United States halted funding to the WHO over its handling of the global pandemic.President Donald Trump, who has become increasingly hostile towards the WHO, on Tuesday announced the United States would cut off funding the Geneva-based organization, prompting condemnation from infectious disease experts.“There are one or two countries that seem to be quite concerned about actions that were taken early on in the pandemic...We say to everybody, we plead with everybody, look forward. Focus on the epic struggle right now and leave the recriminations until later,” special envoy David Nabarro told an online conference, without naming the United States or Trump."If in the process you decide you want to declare that you’re going to withdraw funding or make other comments about the WHO, remember this is not just the WHO, this is the whole public health community that is involved right now and every single person in the world...is sacrificing."The United States contributed more than $400 million to the WHO in 2019, roughly 15% of its budget and its biggest overall donor.Trump has said the WHO failed to act on credible reports from sources in China's Wuhan province, where the virus was first identified in December, that conflicted with Beijing's account of the spread.Nabarro, who served as the United Nations special envoy on Ebola, warned countries against complacency in tackling the virus which has infected some 2,001,548 people globally and killed at least 131,101, according to a Reuters tally."Respond rapidly, respond robustly and then you will be able to contain this virus and hold it at bay," he said."If we argue about it, we will get into trouble. The virus will find its way between us and will catch us out and we will be asking ourselves why on earth didn't we move more quickly. Why on earth didn't we develop a unified strategic approach."


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--100 ventilators arrive to Israel from the US

The Defense Ministry purchased 100 ventilators from the US , which arrived in Israel on Wednesday , according to a @ @ @ @ @ .
The ventilators were purchased on the West Coast and shipped to New York City @ @ @ @ @ on a CAL Cargo plane .
The ministry also reported that shipment of enough reagents @ @ @ @ @ landed in Israel from South Korea on Wednesday .

The Defense Ministry purchased 100 ventilators from the US, which arrived in Israel on Wednesday, according to a press release from the ministry.
The ventilators were purchased on the West Coast and shipped to New York City, where they were loaded on a CAL Cargo plane.
The ministry also reported that shipment of enough reagents to conduct 10,000 coronavirus tests landed in Israel from South Korea on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Saudi king approves more private sector coronavirus crisis aid

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has approved an additional package of measures to help the private sector deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, its finance minister said.The package includes 50 billion riyals ($266 million) to accelerate payment of private sector dues, provide liquidity to several sectors and cover wages of those working in passenger transport, Mohammed al-Jadaan said on Wednesday.Another 47 billion riyals has been set aside for the health sector, to be disbursed as needed to build capacity, he added.The country of some 30 million people reported 493 more cases of the novel coronavirus and six deaths on Wednesday to take its total to 5,862 with 79 deaths, the highest among the six Gulf Arab states.The number of infections has steadily risen despite containment measures including suspending passenger flights, the umrah pilgrimage and most commercial activities and imposing a 24-hour curfew in major cities including the capital Riyadh.In March, Jadaan announced the allocation of 70 billion riyals to support businesses as well as the postponement of some government fees and taxes.Earlier this month, the king earlier ordered up to 9 billion riyals be disbursed to cover part of the wages of private sector workers to deter layoffs.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--CDC director: 19-20 US states may be ready to reopen May 1

The director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday he believes 19 or 20 US states have had limited impact from the new coronavirus and their governors believe they may be ready to reopen by President Donald Trump's May 1 target date."There are a number of counties within this country that have not experienced really any coronavirus despite testing," Robert Redfield said in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America.""There are a number of states - 19, 20 states - that really have had limited impact from it. So I think we will see some states that are, the governors feel that they're ready, we're poised to assist them with that reopening," Redfield said.Trump said on Monday evening he was close to completing a plan for ending America's coronavirus shutdown, which has thrown millions out of work, and may restart the battered US economy in some areas even before May 1. He said around 20 states were "in extremely good shape and could reopen fairly quickly.The president took renewed aim at the World Health Organization at the briefing, saying he has instructed his administration to halt US funding to the Geneva-based institution over its handling of the pandemic.Redfield would not directly answer a question about the president's decision but said the CDC and WHO have had a long history of working together on global health outbreaks."We've had a very productive public health relationship," he said. "We continue to have that."The CDC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have put together a public health strategy to reopen parts of the country as part of the larger White House effort get Americans back to work, the Washington Post reported.The plan cites three phases: A national communication campaign and community readiness assessment through May 1; increased emergency funding and production of testing kits and personal protective equipment through May 15; and staged reopenings depending on local conditions.The plan said some mitigation measures would have to remain in effect and communities that would only need "low mitigation" efforts are places where the virus never took hold, the Post said.The document warned: "Models indicate 30-day shelter in place followed by 180 day lifting of all mitigation results in large rebound curve — some level of mitigation will be needed until vaccines or broad community immunity is achieved for recovering communities."Redfield said mitigation steps such as people staying physically separated would also likely have to continue until a vaccine and treatments are available."I do think we're going to have some social distancing that's going to be a critical part of our strategy as we go forward," he told CBS "This Morning" in an interview.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Germany to extend coronavirus lockdown until May with some easing

Germany will consider relaxing restrictions next week on shops introduced last month to slow the spread of the coronavirus but extend limits on movement until May 3, several participants in talks between regional and central government said on Wednesday.Chancellor Angela Merkel is to hold talks with state premiers of Germany's 16 states from 2 p.m. (1200 GMT) to agree whether and how to loosen some of the restrictions given some improvement in the situation.Among the issues under discussion are when schools, shops and factories may re-open, the option of making people wear protective face masks in public and the merits of a mobile phone app to help trace new cases.Merkel's cabinet has already decided to extend border controls to Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark by 20 days to early May, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.With several EU countries now trying different ways to ease their restrictions, the European Commission is urging member states to coordinate their efforts, warning that failure to do so could result in new spikes in cases.Infectious disease experts say that four weeks of keeping schools, factories and shops shut has brought progress but warn that the epidemic is not yet contained and there is a long way to go before normal life resumes in Europe's biggest economy.Companies and politicians are also worried about the economic impact of a long shutdown although the government has tried to cushion the blow with a range of measures, including a 750-billion-euro ($822.23 billion) stimulus package.The Economy Ministry said Germany entered a recession in March and the slowdown is likely to continue until the middle of the year."Collapsing global demand, interruption of supply chains, changes in consumer behavior and uncertainty among investors are having massive impact on Germany," it said.It said even if social distancing measures were eased, economic activity would continue to be very subdued and would only pick up gradually.Some 725,000 companies in Germany had applied for short-time work by April 13, the Labour Office said on Wednesday, a roughly 12% rise from the previous week, said the Labour Office.Short-time work is a form of state aid that allows employers to switch employees to shorter working hours during an economic downturn to keep them on the payroll. It has been widely used by industry, including Germany's car sector.Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 2,486 to 127,584, said the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases earlier, with a reported death toll of 3,254 people.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Russia looking into UN global ceasefire proposal - Kremlin

MOSCOW - Russian diplomats were looking into a global ceasefire proposal put forward by the UN chief over the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ said on Wednesday .
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month called for a ceasefire @ @ @ @ @ so the world can focus on fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Obviously , the @ @ @ @ @ The diplomats are working .
As soon as the work is completed and agreed with @ @ @ @ @ will be announced , '' the spokesman , Dmitry Peskov , told reporters

MOSCOW - Russian diplomats were looking into a global ceasefire proposal put forward by the UN chief over the coronavirus crisis, the Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month called for a ceasefire in conflicts around the globe so the world can focus on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Three Palestinians test positive for coronavirus, rising total to 305

Three Palestinians tested positive for coronavirus , rising the official number of those infected in the Palestinian Territories to 305 @ @ @ @ @ The Palestinian Authority previously blamed Israel for the spread of coronavirus in the West Bank @ @ @ @ @ were entering its territory .
According to N12 , close to two thirds of all @ @ @ @ @ Bank came from Palestinians who work in Israel .
Last week , Palestinian health officials @ @ @ @ @ run out of coronavirus testing kits .

Three Palestinians tested positive for coronavirus, rising the official number of those infected in the Palestinian Territories to 305, N12 reported Wednesday.
The Palestinian Authority previously blamed Israel for the spread of coronavirus in the West Bank, disinfecting IDF vehicles that were entering its territory. According to N12, close to two thirds of all coronavirus cases in the West Bank came from Palestinians who work in Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--China urges United States to fulfill its obligations to WHO

BEIJING - China urged the United States on Wednesday to fulfill its obligations to the World Health Organization ( WHO @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump halted funding to the body over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ told reporters during a daily briefing the situation with the pandemic , which has infected @ @ @ @ @ , was at a critical stage and that the U.S. 's decision would affect all @ @ @ @ @

BEIJING - China urged the United States on Wednesday to fulfill its obligations to the World Health Organization (WHO), after U.S. President Donald Trump halted funding to the body over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters during a daily briefing the situation with the pandemic, which has infected nearly 2 million people globally, was at a critical stage and that the U.S.'s decision would affect all countries of the world.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Coronavirus cases in Russia near 25,000 after record daily rise

MOSCOW - Russia on Wednesday reported 3,388 new cases of the coronavirus , a record daily rise , bringing its @ @ @ @ @ , the country 's coronavirus response center said .
It said 198 people in Russia @ @ @ @ @ now died , an overnight rise of 28 .

MOSCOW - Russia on Wednesday reported 3,388 new cases of the coronavirus, a record daily rise, bringing its overall nationwide tally to 24,490, the country's coronavirus response center said.
It said 198 people in Russia diagnosed with the virus had now died, an overnight rise of 28.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Germany says WHO one of best investments after Donald Trump cuts funding

BERLIN - Strengthening the World Health Organization is one of the best investments , Germany 's foreign minister said on @ @ @ @ @ Trump on Tuesday halted funding to the Geneva-based organisation .
Trump made the move over @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic , drawing condemnation from infectious disease experts as the global death toll @ @ @ @ @ does n't help .
The virus knows no borders , '' Heiko Maas said on @ @ @ @ @ to work closely together against # COVID19 .
One of the best investments is to @ @ @ @ @ especially the under-funded @ WHO , for example for developing and distributing tests and vaccines @ @

BERLIN - Strengthening the World Health Organization is one of the best investments, Germany's foreign minister said on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday halted funding to the Geneva-based organisation.
Trump made the move over the WHO's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, drawing condemnation from infectious disease experts as the global death toll mounted.
"Apportioning blame doesn't help. The virus knows no borders," Heiko Maas said on Twitter.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--World will need more than one COVID-19 vaccine, GSK CEO says

LONDON - The world will need more than one COVID-19 vaccine so drug companies must partner in the race to @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus , GlaxoSmithKline Chief Executive Officer Emma Walmsley said on Wednesday .
Walmsley @ @ @ @ @ Sanofi brings scale to the attempt to get a covid-19 vaccine but that there was @ @ @ @ @ work to do .
`` The world 's going to definitely need more than one @ @ @ @ @ demand in this hugely challenged global health crisis , '' she told BBC Radio .

LONDON - The world will need more than one COVID-19 vaccine so drug companies must partner in the race to develop the weapons to fight the novel coronavirus, GlaxoSmithKline Chief Executive Officer Emma Walmsley said on Wednesday.
Walmsley said GSK's partnership with Sanofi brings scale to the attempt to get a covid-19 vaccine but that there was still an enormous amount of work to do.


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--Arizona to test 250,000 first responders, healthcare workers for COVID-19

The blood tests show who has been exposed to the novel coronavirus and successfully built immunity , the University of Arizona , which will produce and carry out the tests , said in a statement .
With experts saying that up to 50 % of people exposed to COVID-19 experience few to no symptoms , determining who has developed virus-fighting antibodies is critical to restarting social interaction , said Dr. Michael Dake , senior vice president for the University of Arizona Health Sciences .
`` We 're going to be the largest and certainly the first to undertake a statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responders , '' Dake , who is overseeing production of the tests , said on a conference call .
The state is providing the university $ 3.5 million in funding to produce the tests and provide results after clinics and hospitals send blood samples of the workers .
Dake expected the university to be able to process 5,000 tests per day once the program ramps up to full speed in early May , when some models show Arizona 's outbreak peaking .
First responders and healthcare workers are the first wave of testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the population , Dake said .
The University of Arizona has pledged to give antibody tests to all 45,000 of its students and 15,000 faculty .
The antibody tests , using decades-old ELISA technology , do not always pick up early-stage infections but show whether a person had the virus in the past , even if the person was asymptomatic .
In comparison , the so called RT-PCR-technology swab tests used at drive-through stations and clinics across the country determine whether a person has the virus at that moment by looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both tests are critical in the coronavirus fight , but antibody tests are seen as a relatively cheap , fast means to sort populations into risk groups and measure virus spread .
Questions remain about how long coronavirus immunity levels last and whether people who have antibodies could still be contagious , according to some infectious disease specialists .

Arizona on Tuesday said it would provide coronavirus antibody tests for 250,000 health-care workers and first responders in the largest such testing in the United States to date.
The blood tests show who has been exposed to the novel coronavirus and successfully built immunity, the University of Arizona, which will produce and carry out the tests, said in a statement.
With experts saying that up to 50% of people exposed to COVID-19 experience few to no symptoms, determining who has developed virus-fighting antibodies is critical to restarting social interaction, said Dr. Michael Dake, senior vice president for the University of Arizona Health Sciences.
"We're going to be the largest and certainly the first to undertake a statewide testing of all healthcare workers and first responders," Dake, who is overseeing production of the tests, said on a conference call.
The state is providing the university $3.5 million in funding to produce the tests and provide results after clinics and hospitals send blood samples of the workers.
Dake expected the university to be able to process 5,000 tests per day once the program ramps up to full speed in early May, when some models show Arizona's outbreak peaking.
First responders and healthcare workers are the first wave of testing, which may move onto other areas of the population, Dake said.
The University of Arizona has pledged to give antibody tests to all 45,000 of its students and 15,000 faculty.
The antibody tests, using decades-old ELISA technology, do not always pick up early-stage infections but show whether a person had the virus in the past, even if the person was asymptomatic.
In comparison, the so called RT-PCR-technology swab tests used at drive-through stations and clinics across the country determine whether a person has the virus at that moment by looking for it in nose or throat secretions.
Both tests are critical in the coronavirus fight, but antibody tests are seen as a relatively cheap, fast means to sort populations into risk groups and measure virus spread.
Questions remain about how long coronavirus immunity levels last and whether people who have antibodies could still be contagious, according to some infectious disease specialists.
“Antibody testing is not a cure-all," Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said in a statement. "Learning more about it is an important step to identifying community exposure, helping us make decisions about how we protect our citizens, and getting us to the other side of this pandemic.”


jerusalempost--2020-04-15--UN chief says 'not the time' for US to reduce WHO resources

Trump claimed that the official United Nations health body `` failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable '' for its efforts towards the initial outbreak in Wuhan , China - adding that it was a “ disastrous decision to oppose travel restrictions from China and other nations.
” He said the group had promoted China 's `` disinformation '' about the virus and “ defended the actions of the Chinese government , even praising its so-called transparency , '' which likely led to a wider outbreak of the virus than otherwise would have occurred .
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to stave off the negative economic effects that were to come with the viral spread , apathetic to worldwide public health implications .
“ Today I ’ m instructing my administration to halt funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization ’ s role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus , ” Trump said at the daily White House press briefing .
“ Everybody knows what ’ s going on there.
” In response , United Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was `` not the time to reduce the resources for the operations of the World Health Organization or any other humanitarian organization in the fight against the virus . ''
`` Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences , '' he said .
The United States is currently WHO 's largest benefactor , providing the UN body with $ 400 million in 2019 .
`` With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been put to the best use possible , '' Trump said .
The United States , with the world 's third-largest population , passed a second milestone on Tuesday with over 600,000 reported cases , three times more than any other country .
The previous single-day record was 2,069 , set last Friday .
The increase of 2,228 deaths excludes a revision by New York City to include deaths presumed to be due to the novel coronavirus but never tested dating back to March 11 .
New York City 's health department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 , including the 3,700 deaths added on Tuesday .
Health officials have cautioned that deaths are a `` lagging indicator '' and do not mean that the sweeping stay-at-home restrictions are a failure .
New York state and some other hard-hit areas continue to report sharp decreases in hospitalizations and patients on ventilators .
Health experts had forecast deaths would peak this week and last week but there had been hopes the worst was behind the United States when new deaths reported on Sunday and Monday were about 1,500 per day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of roughly 2,000 deaths every 24 hours , according to a Reuters tally .
Trump 's administration has recommended stay-at-home guidelines through the end of April , and the president has floated May 1 as a possible date to start reopening shuttered workplaces in some areas .
“ I will be speaking to all 50 governors very shortly , and I will then be authorizing each individual governor of each individual state to implement a reopening , ” Trump said from the Rose Garden , “ at a time and in a manner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] . ''
Anthony Fauci , head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , echoed many governors in saying that health officials must first be able to test for the virus quickly , isolate new cases and track down new infections before social-distancing restrictions can be eased safely .
That date may be `` a bit overly optimistic , '' Fauci , who has become a trusted national figure during the pandemic , said in an interview with the Associated Press .
`` We have to have something in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on , and we 're not there yet , '' he added .

Trump claimed that the official United Nations health body "failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable" for its efforts towards the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China - adding that it was a “disastrous decision to oppose travel restrictions from China and other nations.”
He said the group had promoted China's "disinformation" about the virus and “defended the actions of the Chinese government, even praising its so-called transparency," which likely led to a wider outbreak of the virus than otherwise would have occurred. China initially downplayed the outbreak within their country in order to stave off the negative economic effects that were to come with the viral spread, apathetic to worldwide public health implications.
“Today I’m instructing my administration to halt funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization’s role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus,” Trump said at the daily White House press briefing. “Everybody knows what’s going on there.”
In response, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that it was "not the time to reduce the resources for the operations of the World Health Organization or any other humanitarian organization in the fight against the virus."
"Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences," he said.
The United States is currently WHO's largest benefactor, providing the UN body with $400 million in 2019.
"With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have deep concerns whether America's generosity has been put to the best use possible," Trump said.
The United States, with the world's third-largest population, passed a second milestone on Tuesday with over 600,000 reported cases, three times more than any other country.
The previous single-day record was 2,069, set last Friday.
The increase of 2,228 deaths excludes a revision by New York City to include deaths presumed to be due to the novel coronavirus but never tested dating back to March 11.
New York City's health department said the death toll is now over 10,000, including the 3,700 deaths added on Tuesday.
Health officials have cautioned that deaths are a "lagging indicator" and do not mean that the sweeping stay-at-home restrictions are a failure. New York state and some other hard-hit areas continue to report sharp decreases in hospitalizations and patients on ventilators.
Health experts had forecast deaths would peak this week and last week but there had been hopes the worst was behind the United States when new deaths reported on Sunday and Monday were about 1,500 per day, far below last week's running tally of roughly 2,000 deaths every 24 hours, according to a Reuters tally.
Trump's administration has recommended stay-at-home guidelines through the end of April, and the president has floated May 1 as a possible date to start reopening shuttered workplaces in some areas.
“I will be speaking to all 50 governors very shortly, and I will then be authorizing each individual governor of each individual state to implement a reopening,” Trump said from the Rose Garden, “at a time and in a manner as most appropriate [for each state]."
Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, echoed many governors in saying that health officials must first be able to test for the virus quickly, isolate new cases and track down new infections before social-distancing restrictions can be eased safely.
That date may be "a bit overly optimistic," Fauci, who has become a trusted national figure during the pandemic, said in an interview with the Associated Press.
"We have to have something in place that is efficient and that we can rely on, and we're not there yet," he added.
United States President Donald Trump said that he instructed his administration to temporarily halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday over the organizational response regarding the coronavirus pandemic. US coronavirus deaths rose by at least 2,228 on Tuesday – a single-day record – to top 28,300, according to a Reuters tally, as officials debated how to reopen the economy without reigniting the outbreak.Reuters contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--EU: Coronavirus-tracking apps must not use personal location data

The recommendations are part of a unified European approach on using technology to combat COVID-19 and come after several EU @ @ @ @ @ of apps , triggering criticism from data privacy activists .
`` Strong privacy safeguards are @ @ @ @ @ of these apps , and therefore their usefulness , '' European digital chief Thierry Breton @ @ @ @ @ The Commission said the mobile apps should be approved by public health authorities , installed @ @ @ @ @ are not needed and should also be based on anonymised data .

European Union countries using mobile apps to contain the spread of the coronavirus should ensure such apps comply with the bloc's privacy rules and avoid using personalised location data, the bloc's executive Commission said on Thursday.
The recommendations are part of a unified European approach on using technology to combat COVID-19 and come after several EU countries rolled out a variety of apps, triggering criticism from data privacy activists.
"Strong privacy safeguards are a pre-requisite for the uptake of these apps, and therefore their usefulness," European digital chief Thierry Breton said in a statement.
The Commission said the mobile apps should be approved by public health authorities, installed voluntarily and deleted once they are not needed and should also be based on anonymised data.
"Location data is not necessary nor recommended for the purpose of contact tracing apps, as their goal is not to follow the movements of individuals or to enforce prescriptions," the Commission document said, citing security and privacy risks.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: Russia to spell out stance on UN call for global truce

By subscribing I accept the terms of use

Russia will spell out its stance on the United Nations' call for a global truce, so the world can focus on the coronavirus epidemic, in the coming days after consultations are completed, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.French President Emmanuel Macron has said he has secured the agreement of three of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, to back the call and hopes Russia, which is also a member, will support it.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Palestine TV correspondent called in for questioning in Jerusalem - report

Palestine TV 's offices in Jerusalem were closed in November along with a number of other Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem because the TV station broadcast content inciting against Israel and was funded directly by the PA illegally , according to the Public Security Ministry .
A 1995 law passed by the Knesset bans the PA from carrying out such activities within the area of Israel .
In 2019 , Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan signed over 10 closure orders against the PA in Jerusalem .
“ A fierce battle is under way here for the future and identity of Jerusalem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to thwart the PA ’ s attempts to incite residents of east Jerusalem against Israel , ” said Erdan at the time .
The Palestine TV station broadcasts anti-Israel and anti-Zionist content , which security forces believe is intended to incite viewers against Israel .
Some of the programs discuss the Temple Mount and al-Aqsa Mosque , in which interviewers and interviewees create the impression of a “ war ” for Jerusalem and al-Aqsa , and that they must be defended from the “ Zionist occupation forces.
” Israel is presented as committing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials found that the TV station is funded and associated with the PA , which goes against the Oslo Accords .
A statement by the Public Security Ministry described the station as a symbol of the PA ’ s grip in Jerusalem .
The Palestinian Media Forum condemned the closure of the TV station in November , calling it a violation of freedom of the press , connecting it to the recent injury of a Palestinian journalist in the West Bank , the storming of the Wafa news agency offices in Ramallah and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gaza , according to the Palestinian Sawa news agency .
The forum reaffirmed that the closure “ will not undermine the will and determination of Palestinian journalists , who continue day and night to expose the crimes of the Israeli occupation .
”

Palestine TV's offices in Jerusalem were closed in November along with a number of other Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem because the TV station broadcast content inciting against Israel and was funded directly by the PA illegally, according to the Public Security Ministry. A 1995 law passed by the Knesset bans the PA from carrying out such activities within the area of Israel. In 2019, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan signed over 10 closure orders against the PA in Jerusalem.
“A fierce battle is under way here for the future and identity of Jerusalem, and every step should be taken to thwart the PA’s attempts to incite residents of east Jerusalem against Israel,” said Erdan at the time.
The Palestine TV station broadcasts anti-Israel and anti-Zionist content, which security forces believe is intended to incite viewers against Israel. Some of the programs discuss the Temple Mount and al-Aqsa Mosque, in which interviewers and interviewees create the impression of a “war” for Jerusalem and al-Aqsa, and that they must be defended from the “Zionist occupation forces.” Israel is presented as committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
Security officials found that the TV station is funded and associated with the PA, which goes against the Oslo Accords. A statement by the Public Security Ministry described the station as a symbol of the PA’s grip in Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Media Forum condemned the closure of the TV station in November, calling it a violation of freedom of the press, connecting it to the recent injury of a Palestinian journalist in the West Bank, the storming of the Wafa news agency offices in Ramallah and the destruction of al-Aqsa TV offices in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Sawa news agency.
The forum reaffirmed that the closure “will not undermine the will and determination of Palestinian journalists, who continue day and night to expose the crimes of the Israeli occupation.”
Palestine TV's correspondent in Jerusalem, Christine Rinawi, was called in for questioning at the Russian Compound police station in West Jerusalem on Thursday, according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Hamas prisoners in northern Israel declare hunger strike

The reasons for the strike were declared in a letter to the prison administration , including the reduction of products @ @ @ @ @

The reasons for the strike were declared in a letter to the prison administration, including the reduction of products available at the canteen.
Some 18 Hamas prisoners being held at the Gilboa Prison in northern Israel declared a hunger strike on Thursday, according to KAN news.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Quadcopter infiltrates Israel from Gaza, returns to Gaza

A quadcopter flew from the Gaza Strip dozens of meters into Israeli territory and then returned on Thursday, according to the IDF Spokespersons Unit.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: Spain's death toll rises to 19,130

Over the past 24 hours , 551 people died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , up @ @ @ @ @ , the ministry said .

The total number of people who have died from the new coronavirus in Spain rose to 19,130, the Spanish health ministry said on Thursday.
Over the past 24 hours, 551 people died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, up from 523 the previous day, the ministry said.
The overall number of cases of those infected in the country rose to 182,816, from 177,633 on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: Iran records 77,995 cases, 4,869 deaths

Iran's new coronavirus death toll has risen by 92 to reach 4,869, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Thursday.Iran's total number of cases of people infected with the new coronavirus has reached 77,995, Jahanpur said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Another coronavirus death: No. 141 is a 76-year-old man

The number of people sick with the novel coronavirus rose to 12,591 on Thursday , as the Passover closure was lifted .
Some 174 people are in serious condition , among them 140 who are intubated .
Some 141 people have died and 2,626 people have recovered from the virus .
Among the newly infected are 29 residents of a senior center in Ashkelon , Israeli media reported .
The Health Ministry is now testing between 2,000 and 3,000 residents of senior living centers daily , Health Ministry deputy director-general Itamar Grotto told the Knesset coronavirus committee on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ today that an employee of one of the Knesset 's security contractors Ronni Gamzu , CEO of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center has been put in charge of combatting coronavirus among geriatric centers , where there have been multiple dangerous outbreaks and deaths .
Grotto said that he is working on a strategic plan that should be presented in the coming days.In addition , the Knesset officer learned today that an employee of one of the Knesset 's security contractors has coronavirus .
He worked April 5 through 7 from 6:30 a.m. to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift with him was asked to enter isolation .
The government will convene a special hearing Thursday afternoon .
to discuss the country ’ s exit strategy , a plan to gradually remove the restrictions that have been placed on the public to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus .
In preparation for the discussion , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the various parties to try and reach an agreement about what that strategy might look like .
Until now , there have been two opposing viewpoints .
The Health Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life can be done only when the country sees 30 to 50 new patients per day .
As of Wednesday , there were still hundreds of new patients being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus every day .
The ministry argues that if the country opens too hastily , all its work to reduce infection and “ flatten the curve ” will be undone .
On the flip side , the Finance Ministry argues that the economy can not take much more of the current restrictions .
More than a million people are out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26.1 % .
The ministry argues that Israel should move fast , or the economy may not be able to rebound .
The National Security Council is expected to present alternative plans to the special cabinet , which is composed of ministers and representatives from the NSC , Health and Finance ministries and other experts are expected to participate in the discussion .
The meeting is expected to be very long .

After hours of heated debate, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the principals for an exit strategy that was presented to him by the National Security Council on Thursday. The plan was drafted with the help of a team of scientists, doctors and economists and balanced between the opposing viewpoints of the Finance, Health, Economy and Defense ministries. Israeli leaders have agreed on a plan to begin opening the economy as early as Sunday, the Prime Minister's Office announced late Thursday night.After hours of heated debate, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted the principals for an exit strategy that was presented to him by the National Security Council on Thursday. The plan was drafted with the help of a team of scientists, doctors and economists and balanced between the opposing viewpoints of the Finance, Health, Economy and Defense ministries. The Finance Ministry will formulate a pilot plan for a number of commercial sectors that will be allowed to open subject to the directives of the Health Ministry. A standard will be determined that will include criteria for the opening of businesses in the defined sectors. — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 16, 2020 The government will gradually open a limited number of businesses, which will be subject to the rules and restrictions that the Health and Finance ministries will determine by Saturday night. In addition, the plan calls for permitting exercise and sports up to 500 meters from home and re-opening special education programs. The final plan will be drafted over the next 48 hours and brought to a vote by the cabinet on Saturday night. The government will gradually open a limited number of businesses, which will be subject to the rules and restrictions that the Health and Finance ministries will determine by Saturday night.In addition, the plan calls for permitting exercise and sports up to 500 meters from home and re-opening special education programs.The final plan will be drafted over the next 48 hours and brought to a vote by the cabinet on Saturday night. Over the next 48hrs the professional teams will prepare the draft decision and map the sectors in the pilot, and detailed procedures for operating the businesses and companies will be prepared, as will be guidelines on the conduct of the public in the public sphere and businesses — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 16, 2020 “We’re not really talking about an exit strategy here,” Finance Ministry director-general Shai Babad said during the meeting. “Let’s disperse the discussion, and we’ll reconvene when we reach 10 or 20 patients a day as the Health Ministry wants.” If participants at the meeting could have been closer than two meters from another, punches might have been thrown, as the country’s leaders engaged in the exit strategy debate.“We’re not really talking about an exit strategy here,” Finance Ministry director-general Shai Babad said during the meeting. “Let’s disperse the discussion, and we’ll reconvene when we reach 10 or 20 patients a day as the Health Ministry wants.”
“Not everything can be about the shekel,” Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov responded.
Netanyahu had requested that the National Security Council review and organize plans from across the spectrum to be presented at Thursday’s meeting in hopes of reaching a clear plan how the country will reopen its economy and education system. As of Friday morning, 12,855 people had contracted the novel coronavirus in Israel.
Some 182 people are in serious condition, among them 129 who are intubated. Some 148 people have died.
Sources said that it appeared that any exit strategy would be run in three phases, each of around two weeks. In phase one, office workers would return to their places of employment. In phase two, stand-alone stores would open. In phase three, sometime in mid-May, schools would resume.
The Health Ministry would test and monitor the public during each phase for spikes in the number of sick people.
Media reports indicated that all parties agreed that the number of workers could minimally increase from 15% to 30%. The major point of contention seemed to be over opening small businesses, stand-alone retail establishments and salons. The Finance Ministry wants to open them, but the Health Ministry says it is too early.
The Health Ministry came to the table with an ultra-conservative plan that did not involve opening stories for another month and that did not include a timeline for the opening of schools.
There are plans for a gradual return of the economy, Bar Siman Tov told Channel 13 on Wednesday.
“A situation has been created that allows more economic activity to be returned to the economy,” he said. “We are prepared to take more risk, and this is probably what will happen in the coming days. If the Israeli public continues its excellent behavior, we can take steps forward.”
Bar Siman Tov said he does “not like the phrase ‘exit strategy, but ‘routine in the shade of the corona.’”
In contrast, the Finance Ministry said if the country waits another month, it will mean another 120,000 Israelis out of work and the end of small businesses.
At the meeting, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan proposed defining criteria for workout centers to open. The country should allow people to participate in individual and family sports, as well as to pray in open spaces, he said. But “the most urgent” is to resume preschools and elementary schools, he added.
“The Education Ministry needs to do everything it can to help parents as early as Sunday,” Erdan said. “Recruit even National Service volunteers and students and pay them.”
One decision that was established at the meeting was reducing restrictions on the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) city of Bnei Brak through April 20, according to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Health Ministry.
The lighter restrictions, which were put into effect on Thursday at 6 p.m., allow more freedom of movement throughout the city and allow for free entry and exit from it. However, no public transportation will be available, and residents who wish to leave will have to use private cars or taxis.
The Bnei Brak Municipality has committed to moving some 700 of the city’s residents who tested positive for COVID-19 to state-run coronavirus hotels.
The choice to place extra restrictions on haredi neighborhoods has been a subject of conflict amid the coronavirus crisis, as some believe the issue to be a political one.
During the meeting Thursday, senior officials told N12 that Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman pushed to ease the closure of Bnei Brak, without data backing the decision, because of pressure he was receiving from his constituency.
Litzman is the head of the haredi United Torah Judaism Party.
The government extended restrictions on Jerusalem through April 19. Four areas that had been marked restricted before Passover will continue to be monitored until further notice, it said.
Although the likelihood of a Passover-like lockdown being implemented for Memorial Day through the end of Independence Day, April 27-29, had already been discussed, it caused another escalation during Thursday’s meeting.
Israelis did not keep the Passover restrictions, Bar Siman Tov reportedly said, adding: “They did not go out of their homes, but inside their homes, families got together.” As a result, he said he expects to see a rise in the number of intubated coronavirus patients.
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon responded: “You want to keep people at home for the next two weeks because you are afraid of Independence Day? That is illogical. If it is a problem, decide to implement a closure on Independence Day.”
Bar Siman Tov responded: “You need to consider that if we open up now, it will be hard in two weeks on Independence Day to again put the country on lockdown. When you let a person outside, it is hard two weeks later to tell him to stay home.”
The IDF said it is considering a strategy to handle the coronavirus now and in the coming months.
“We understand that it’s going to be a long-term event, but at the same time people want to return to their lives,” IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman told reporters.
While the army is planning for the long term, “I can’t tell you right now how long this new reality will last,” he said.
A total of 173 soldiers have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, and another 1,600 are in quarantine. Forty-two have recovered and returned to their units or have been discharged from the military.
The military along with the Mossad continues to work with the Health Ministry, Magen David Adom and government bodies to help with decision making regarding the crisis. Thousands of soldiers continue to help deliver food and other essential products to the elderly and at-risk citizens, handing out more than two million food packages across the country, including in the Arab sector.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: Russia reports new record daily rise in cases

The overall number of cases reached 27,938 .

Russia reported 3,448 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday, up from 3,388 the day earlier.
The overall number of cases reached 27,938.
Thirty-four people died in the last 24 hours, which took the national coronavirus death toll to 232, the Russian coronavirus crisis response center said.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: UK must keep social distancing until vaccine is ready

Britain will probably have to maintain some level of social distancing until a vaccine for the novel coronavirus is available, Neil Ferguson, a professor who has helped shape the government's response to the pandemic, said on Thursday."We will have to maintain some level of social distancing, a significant level of social distancing, probably indefinitely until we have a vaccine available," Ferguson told BBC radio.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Mental healthcare declines due to coronavirus outbreak

`` [ This ] needs to be addressed now , '' said Fishel , adding that a million Israelis will @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak .
Fishel presented his plan to return mental healthcare services including remote @ @ @ @ @ it in the first stage and then continued treatment in regular mental healthcare services for @ @ @ @ @

"[This] needs to be addressed now," said Fishel, adding that a million Israelis will require mental healthcare due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Fishel presented his plan to return mental healthcare services including remote treatment for anyone who requests it in the first stage and then continued treatment in regular mental healthcare services for anyone who needs it.
Chairman of the Israel Psychiatric Association, Dr. Zvi Fishel, warned mental healthcare services have declined throughout the coronavirus outbreak and that the consequences would be felt soon, in an interview on Army Radio on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: 140 dead; 12,591 infected - 174 in serious condition

In preparation for the discussion , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the various parties to try and reach an agreement about what that strategy might look like .
Until now , there have been two opposing viewpoints .
The Health Ministry believes that returning to work and daily life can be done only when the country sees 30 to 50 new patients per day .
As of Wednesday , there were still hundreds of new patients being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus every day .
The ministry argues that if the country opens too hastily , all its work to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” will be undone .
On the flip side , the Finance Ministry argues that the economy can not take much more of the current restrictions .
More than a million people are out of work and the unemployment rate is 26.1 % .
The ministry argues that Israel should move fast , or the economy may not be able to rebound .
Over recent weeks , the National Security Council ( NSC ) has been presented with plans by the Finance and Health ministries and teams of academicians , scientists , mathematicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are at odds with one another – and has considered all these plans .
Deputy National Security Adviser Eytan Ben-David will present the prime minister with several alternatives .
Ministers and representatives from the NSC , Health and Finance ministries and other experts are expected to participate in the discussion , which is expected to be very long .
It is expected that any phase I exit strategy will involve easing restrictions on workers , especially in the high-tech , finance and industrial sectors .
The Finance Ministry is proposing opening small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Health Ministry is opposed .
Another debate centers on hairdressers and beauty salons .
The Health Ministry is completely opposed because of the obvious contact between clients and staff .
However , on the other side , officials are asking why they can not open under guidelines provided by the Health Ministry .
Of the people who will present ideas is Minister of Defense Naftali Bennett .
He is expected to call on the government to begin opening the economy , including educational institutions , as early as Sunday at the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open almost 100 % of Israel 's businesses except for those centered on entertainment and recreation and large shopping centers but recommend keeping employees over the age of 65 or people with underlying health problems at home .
To help keep coronavirus in check , Bennett is expected to include in his plan a series of safety measures , such as maintaining social distancing , keep close watch on those over the age of 65 and in nursing homes , increasing the number of standard PCR tests and taking serological tests and allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or cities that have a high-rate of infection .
Over the holiday , several Arab villages in northern Israel were identified as having a high number of infected people .
Residents were asked to stay home by the Health Ministry on Wednesday .
The epicenter of the outbreak is the 12,234 resident-strong Dir el-Assad , where 23 people tested positive , in addition to another four from Nahf , three from Ba'ana and one from Majd al-Kroum .
Joint List Health Committee head MK Ahmed Tibi said Wednesday afternoon that he had reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eli Bin and Dir el-Assad council head Ahmed Dabbah to open a drive-in coronavirus testing facility in the village .
Dr. Tibi reportedly asked the village 's residents to call MDA and get tested in case symptoms appear .
`` We have all joined to combat the spread of coronavirus , '' he said , calling on citizens to `` follow the Health Ministry 's instructions , stay home and avoid gatherings . ''
In general , the Health Ministry conducted more than 11,501 tests on April 14 - the most coronavirus tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the pandemic .
The day before it took 10,401 .
Until now , the country was struggling to hit the goal of 10,000 and eventually 30,000 tests per day because of lack of supplies .
But working together with the Defense and Foreign ministries and the Mossad , test components have been arriving .
A shipment of reagents to conduct 100,000 coronavirus checks and 50,000 personal protective suits for medical professionals landed in Israel from South Korea on Wednesday , according to the Defense Ministry .
Both the reagents , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s DNA from the samples and thus identify if a person being tested is positive , and the suits were sent to medical labs across the country .
The additional tests are reflected in the number of people diagnosed with the novel virus .
As of Thursday morning , the country ’ s death toll hit 134 people .
A total of 12,591 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed by the Health Ministry , including 174 patients in serious condition , 140 requiring ventilation .
Some 2,624 individuals have recovered from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of Passover , which is usually celebrated by many with the festival of Mimouna , a traditional Moroccan post-holiday greeting that has become popular across communities in Israel .
In order to prevent people from gathering to celebrate both , the government placed the country under a general lockdown : intercity travelling was banned , as well as travelling between Jerusalem pre-defined neighborhoods until 5 a.m. on Thursday .
Wolfson Medical Center in Holon confirmed that among those infected is an eight-day-old baby , who was born at Hadassah Medical Center on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was brought to Wolfson because he had a high fever , but he is currently in good medical condition .
His mother is also infected .
Moreover , supermarket bread departments and bakeries were asked to stay closed .
Police reported many Israelis who broke restrictions over the holiday on Wednesday .
Police reported that 3,029 tickets were administered .
Still , a Passover-like lockdown is likely to be implemented again for Memorial Day through the end of Israeli Independence Day .
Memorial Day , Yom Hazikaron in Hebrew , starts April 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 at sundown .
The purpose of the expected move is to prevent people from attending memorial ceremonies en masse , holding large gatherings in cemeteries or throwing barbeques and other parties in large groups and in public spaces , as is common on Independence Day .
The decision to implement restrictions will be based in part on how well the public does or does not adhere to the Passover restrictions and whether the number of people infected with coronavirus per day continues at its current rate or decreases or increases .

The government will convene a special hearing on Thursday at 3 p.m. to discuss the country’s exit strategy, a plan to gradually remove the restrictions that have been placed on the public to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus
In preparation for the discussion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the various parties to try and reach an agreement about what that strategy might look like. Until now, there have been two opposing viewpoints.
The Health Ministry believes that returning to work and daily life can be done only when the country sees 30 to 50 new patients per day. As of Wednesday, there were still hundreds of new patients being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus every day. The ministry argues that if the country opens too hastily, all its work to reduce infection and “flatten the curve” will be undone.
On the flip side, the Finance Ministry argues that the economy cannot take much more of the current restrictions. More than a million people are out of work and the unemployment rate is 26.1%. The ministry argues that Israel should move fast, or the economy may not be able to rebound.
Over recent weeks, the National Security Council (NSC) has been presented with plans by the Finance and Health ministries and teams of academicians, scientists, mathematicians, economists and others – many of which are at odds with one another – and has considered all these plans. Deputy National Security Adviser Eytan Ben-David will present the prime minister with several alternatives.
Ministers and representatives from the NSC, Health and Finance ministries and other experts are expected to participate in the discussion, which is expected to be very long.
It is expected that any phase I exit strategy will involve easing restrictions on workers, especially in the high-tech, finance and industrial sectors. The Finance Ministry is proposing opening small stand-alone stores, as well, though the Health Ministry is opposed.
Another debate centers on hairdressers and beauty salons. The Health Ministry is completely opposed because of the obvious contact between clients and staff. However, on the other side, officials are asking why they cannot open under guidelines provided by the Health Ministry.
Of the people who will present ideas is Minister of Defense Naftali Bennett. He is expected to call on the government to begin opening the economy, including educational institutions, as early as Sunday at the coronavirus cabinet meeting. He will push to open almost 100% of Israel's businesses except for those centered on entertainment and recreation and large shopping centers but recommend keeping employees over the age of 65 or people with underlying health problems at home.
Bennett has stressed that the economic damage is infinitely worse than the medical risk of coronavirus , which he believes is manageable. He said that continued closure will cause serious injury to the State of Israel and its citizens.
To help keep coronavirus in check, Bennett is expected to include in his plan a series of safety measures, such as maintaining social distancing, keep close watch on those over the age of 65 and in nursing homes, increasing the number of standard PCR tests and taking serological tests and allowing for targeted closures of buildings, neighborhoods or cities that have a high-rate of infection.
Over the holiday, several Arab villages in northern Israel were identified as having a high number of infected people. Residents were asked to stay home by the Health Ministry on Wednesday.
The epicenter of the outbreak is the 12,234 resident-strong Dir el-Assad, where 23 people tested positive, in addition to another four from Nahf, three from Ba'ana and one from Majd al-Kroum.
Joint List Health Committee head MK Ahmed Tibi said Wednesday afternoon that he had reached an agreement with Magen David Adom head Eli Bin and Dir el-Assad council head Ahmed Dabbah to open a drive-in coronavirus testing facility in the village.
Dr. Tibi reportedly asked the village's residents to call MDA and get tested in case symptoms appear. "We have all joined to combat the spread of coronavirus," he said, calling on citizens to "follow the Health Ministry's instructions, stay home and avoid gatherings."
In general, the Health Ministry conducted more than 11,501 tests on April 14 - the most coronavirus tests taken in a single day since the start of the pandemic. The day before it took 10,401.
Until now, the country was struggling to hit the goal of 10,000 and eventually 30,000 tests per day because of lack of supplies. But working together with the Defense and Foreign ministries and the Mossad, test components have been arriving.
A shipment of reagents to conduct 100,000 coronavirus checks and 50,000 personal protective suits for medical professionals landed in Israel from South Korea on Wednesday, according to the Defense Ministry. Both the reagents, the chemical compound used to extract the virus’s DNA from the samples and thus identify if a person being tested is positive, and the suits were sent to medical labs across the country.
The additional tests are reflected in the number of people diagnosed with the novel virus. As of Thursday morning, the country’s death toll hit 134 people.
A total of 12,591 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed by the Health Ministry, including 174 patients in serious condition, 140 requiring ventilation. Some 2,624 individuals have recovered from the virus.
Wednesday night marked the end of Passover, which is usually celebrated by many with the festival of Mimouna, a traditional Moroccan post-holiday greeting that has become popular across communities in Israel. In order to prevent people from gathering to celebrate both, the government placed the country under a general lockdown: intercity travelling was banned, as well as travelling between Jerusalem pre-defined neighborhoods until 5 a.m. on Thursday. Wolfson Medical Center in Holon confirmed that among those infected is an eight-day-old baby, who was born at Hadassah Medical Center on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. The baby was brought to Wolfson because he had a high fever, but he is currently in good medical condition. His mother is also infected.
Moreover, supermarket bread departments and bakeries were asked to stay closed.
Police reported many Israelis who broke restrictions over the holiday on Wednesday. Police reported that 3,029 tickets were administered.
Still, a Passover-like lockdown is likely to be implemented again for Memorial Day through the end of Israeli Independence Day.
Memorial Day, Yom Hazikaron in Hebrew, starts April 27 at night and Independence Day ends April 29 at sundown.
The purpose of the expected move is to prevent people from attending memorial ceremonies en masse, holding large gatherings in cemeteries or throwing barbeques and other parties in large groups and in public spaces, as is common on Independence Day.
The decision to implement restrictions will be based in part on how well the public does or does not adhere to the Passover restrictions and whether the number of people infected with coronavirus per day continues at its current rate or decreases or increases.
Leon Sverdlov contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Rabbi of the Western Wall violates coronavirus health orders

The event included dozens of guests , breaking Health Ministry orders forbidding gatherings of more than 10 people in an @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus .
Police were called and the guests , including the Rabbi of the @ @ @ @ @ leaving 10 close family members .
In response , Rabinowitz said that he thought the @ @ @ @ @ preformed the traditional blessing in an open space and not in a room and was @ @ @ @ @ will be present.Rabinowitz reportedly waited in the car to be called to perform the blessing @ @ @ @ @ being under the impression that no more than 10 people will be present , promised @ @ @ @ @ organizer .
The Rabbi left immediately after performing his duties .

The event included dozens of guests, breaking Health Ministry orders forbidding gatherings of more than 10 people in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. Police were called and the guests, including the Rabbi of the Western Wall, departed, leaving 10 close family members.In response, Rabinowitz said that he thought the gathering was okay because he preformed the traditional blessing in an open space and not in a room and was under the impression fewer people will be present.Rabinowitz reportedly waited in the car to be called to perform the blessing and name the newborn, being under the impression that no more than 10 people will be present, promised to him by the event organizer. The Rabbi left immediately after performing his duties.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Rivlin gives mandate to Knesset, after negotiations flounder

Within the next 21 days , a majority of the members of Knesset may recommend in writing that an agreed upon MK receive the mandate.In a letter to Gantz , who serves as the Speaker of Knesset , Rivlin stated that `` In light of the situation that these third elections have produced as it appears to me at this time , according to which neither of the candidates has the support of a majority of Knesset Members in a way that allows them to secure the confidence of the Knesset and form a government , including in the form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligated by the meaning of Basic Law : The Government ( 2001 ) , to bring about as soon as possible the formation of a government that will enjoy the confidence of the Knesset , I am informing you that I do not see the possibility of forming a government and I entrust the formation of a government to the Knesset , which is entitled to act under Article 10 ( a ) of this law .
`` `` I hope that the Knesset Members will be able to form a majority in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be formed as soon as possible , and to prevent a fourth round of elections , '' added Rivlin .

Within the next 21 days, a majority of the members of Knesset may recommend in writing that an agreed upon MK receive the mandate.In a letter to Gantz, who serves as the Speaker of Knesset, Rivlin stated that "In light of the situation that these third elections have produced as it appears to me at this time, according to which neither of the candidates has the support of a majority of Knesset Members in a way that allows them to secure the confidence of the Knesset and form a government, including in the form of a national unity government, and obligated by the meaning of Basic Law: The Government (2001), to bring about as soon as possible the formation of a government that will enjoy the confidence of the Knesset, I am informing you that I do not see the possibility of forming a government and I entrust the formation of a government to the Knesset, which is entitled to act under Article 10(a) of this law.""I hope that the Knesset Members will be able to form a majority in such a way that a government can be formed as soon as possible, and to prevent a fourth round of elections," added Rivlin.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Nachman Shai: Country lacks coronavirus communicator

`` We are lacking a person in this role during the coronavirus crisis , '' said Shai .
`` Sharing @ @ @ @ @ as are receiving directives to the homefront .
This is a profession that must be @ @ @ @ @ , who know how to take into account how the public will receive the information @ @ @ @ @ while it 's fine for their to be debates about what steps to take in @ @ @ @ @ should be receiving `` coherent information . ''
Shai is the author of `` Hearts @ @ @ @ @ the Battle for Public Opinion . ''
`` It can not be that the Health @ @ @ @ @ the Finance Ministry says another , '' said Shai.Shai is the author of `` Hearts @ @ @ @ @ the Battle for Public Opinion . ''

"We are lacking a person in this role during the coronavirus crisis," said Shai. "Sharing emergency information is essential, as are receiving directives to the homefront. This is a profession that must be done by people with expertise, who know how to take into account how the public will receive the information."
Shai added that while it's fine for their to be debates about what steps to take in the crisis, the public should be receiving "coherent information."
Shai is the author of "Hearts and Minds: Israel and the Battle for Public Opinion." "It cannot be that the Health Ministry says one thing and the Finance Ministry says another," said Shai.Shai is the author of "Hearts and Minds: Israel and the Battle for Public Opinion."
Israel needs someone to professionally communicate coronavirus regulations and information to the public, said former MK Dr. Nachman Shai, the IDF spokesman during the Gulf War who took the role of communicating with the public and keeping the nation calm, to Army Radio on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-04-16--Bnei Brak to remain open Thursday after road blocks removed

Public transportation to the area will remain restricted .

Public transportation to the area will remain restricted.
The Ministers of Health, Internal Affairs, Public Security and Chief of Staff decided early Thursday to not renew the closure on Bnei Brak.