Don’t forget about oil and arms. Coronavirus vaccines are emerging as the latest currency of choice in the Middle East.
Israel’s reopening of its economy, coupled with a false prisoner exchange with Syria and the arrival of a batch of vaccines in the Gaza Strip, have all shown how politically powerful those who have access to the vaccines in the troubled region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been at the forefront of this movement, raising hopes of his re-election on the success of his campaign to vaccinate Israeli adults. At the same time, he has offered rewards to those who are vaccinated and punish those who are not.
Israel has rolled out the world’s fastest vaccination campaign, administering at least one dose to more than half of its 9.3 million people and the two required doses to about one-third in less than two months.
Compared to the long waits seen in Europe and the US, vaccines are plentiful and available, almost on demand, to anyone who wants one. Clinics have even offered free food and cappuccinos to help attract a reliable grip to come in and get the injection.
‘It’s a good time’
Netanyahu’s efforts seem to be finally bearing fruit, and the number of new coronavirus diseases and severe cases is falling. That allowed the government on Sunday to lift a number of restrictions, reopening stores, malls, and many schools after a two-month closure. In the coming weeks, all schools and restaurants are expected to open, just in time for the March 23 election.
“It’s a good time for him,” said Gideon Rahat, a political scientist at Israel’s Hebrew University.
Another issue is whether it is sufficient to draw attention away from the ongoing corruption test and the wider economic damage caused by the pandemic.
Much depends on Netanyahu’s “agenda situation,” Rahat said. “He talks about the vaccines all the time,” he said, while others focus on his messages over the past year.
Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs and businesses in a series of locksmiths, and there is public outrage over the lifting of locking restrictions by the ultra-Orthodox religious community, one of the main friends political Netanyahu. Many say Netanyahu waited too long to close the country’s main airport, allowing rapid versions of the vaccine-borne infectious virus.
In keeping with his script, Netanyahu on Saturday unveiled his “Green Pass” program, which allows the full vaccine to attend cultural events, fly overseas and support restaurants and health clubs. These services and facilities will be limited to those who do not receive the vaccine.
“I urge everyone who has not had the vaccine – get vaccinated. You will have the Green Pass and benefit from it too, ”said Netanyahu during a photo shoot at a gym in the Tel Aviv area.
Vaccines for archenemy Syria
Israel has defied international criticism for largely excluding Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip from the vaccination campaign.
But Netanyahu showed little hesitation about agreeing to pay Russia some $ 1.2m to buy coronavirus vaccines for Syrian archenemy as part of last week’s deal to detain an Israeli woman in Damascus release.
Netanyahu boasted last week that his warm ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin helped deal with the deal. His office made no mention of any vaccines and attacked the country’s military censor who stopped the purchase of vaccines.
Asked about the reported contract, Netanyahu was evasive. He said no “single Israeli vaccine” had been delivered to Syria – a country that harbors Iran’s hostile forces. But he would not say whether Israel had paid Russia for the vaccines.
“It is legitimate for the Israeli government to decide to move away from past customs and pay with another type of currency,” Israeli military affairs correspondent Yoav Limor wrote in Israel Hayom. “However, the decision to hide that is baffling and worrying. Obviously, someone was very uncomfortable with that issue coming to light. “
But apparently Netanyahu is not deterred. An Israeli official said Sunday that Israel is considering sharing additional vaccines with friendly countries. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity as he was considering a discussion within the government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will receive a coronavirus vaccine in December [Amir Cohen via AFP]The Palestinian vaccine
The differences between Israel’s successful vaccination push with their own population and the lack of vaccines for Palestinians have drawn criticism from UN officials and rights groups and highlighted the inequalities between rich and non-wealthy nations. poor access to vaccines.
These groups claim that Israel is responsible for vaccinating the Palestinians, and Israel has argued that it is not responsible for vaccinating under interim peace agreements. Israel’s vaccination campaign has been involving the Palestinian people themselves.
Ahmad Tibi, a prominent Palestinian lawyer in the Israeli parliament, wrote on Twitter: “Do we have to wait for a Jewish person to cross the border with Gaza until they are eligible for vaccinations?”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been struggling to get vaccines for his people. To date, it has received 2,000 doses from Israel to deploy medical workers in the West Bank, and 10,000 doses from Russia.
One of Abbas ’main rivals on Sunday led the delivery of 20,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine from the United Arab Emirates.
Mohammed Dahlan, a former Abbas supporter who was ousted after a fallout, supports a list of supporters in parliamentary elections scheduled for May and has “resigned” and his political presence ”with the delivery, said Mustafa Ibrahim, a Gaza-based writer.
“It’s part of the campaign and empowers the organization that provides the support. “