“The enemy is still with us, not the time for parties”

On the expected additional reliefs, including an increase in the number of arrivals and departures at Ben Gurion Airport gates, Edelstein admitted: “The initiative for a wider opening of the airport did not exactly belong to the Ministry of Health. It is more related to the upcoming elections. It was explained to us time and time again that we can not leave tens of thousands of Israelis abroad without giving them the opportunity to come and vote here. “

Along with the same encouraging data, the Minister of Health noted two issues that bother him, as he puts it: the education system and businesses that operate according to a green label – but do not always ask their customers to present it in accordance with the guidelines.

– There is a feeling that after the election we will all be locked in houses again, including businesses.
“The whole issue of exit is trial and error. On the one hand we are world champions in vaccines, and it is a great pride. On the other hand we have no one to ask – everyone asks us, ‘Say, what happens now that about half the population is vaccinated?’, And we have no way of knowing what will happen. Going forward”.

– You may have compromised too quickly, too soon, on the issue of facilitation in the education system?
“After this year it’s hard to blame me for compromising fast. At the Ministry of Health we considered all the variables and decided that now, in a situation where places are open, it’s hard to explain to parents why the mall works and they can sit in cafes but kids can not go to schools. I’m glad it happened. By the way, against the background of the calls to open up the entire education system, even in the red cities, I will say again – we do not compromise on public health. “

– The Prime Minister said in a famous interview with “Fox News” that the corona is behind us. Doesn’t that worry you?
“We need to understand that the virus stays here. He did not leave the country or flee from it – he is here and waiting for us to make a mistake, to be swept away by this atmosphere that everything is great and open and do not have to keep the rules. Say ‘Tired of this Ministry of Health, Minister of Health. “Moral, let’s do what we want.” But as soon as that happens – the corona will attack back. “

– So what exactly was it? An attempt to produce a winning image ahead of the election?
“Everything that the Prime Minister said and what I say here about the data – they are definitely a great victory picture against a cunning and cruel enemy. But even when we won this battle, we must remember that the enemy is still with us, even though he is currently very weakened in front of five million good people who came to get vaccinated. “

– Are you not bothered by Ben Gurion Airport? Is there a good way to check who enters, who is checked?
“At the current numbers we are pretty confident in ourselves. I will be honest That the initiative for a wider opening of the gates of Israel was not exactly of the Ministry of Health, but more related to the upcoming elections. It has been explained to us time and time again that we cannot leave tens of thousands of Israelis abroad without giving them a chance to come and vote here. We do it not bad, everyone is tested. We also have a digital option to monitor the isolation, and every positive test from abroad passes Flooring that checks if there is any variant in it that is trying to enter the country. “

On enforcement enforcement, the health minister said: “There are many more things to do. We are still not in a situation where everyone has the electronic bracelets, and if we increase the entry and exit we will need more of them. When there are speed checks at different points in the country, we will feel much safer. There’s the bracelet and the receipt, the same link that the police send and the person you contact should show that he is really at home. We also added about 600 inspectors for the task, they are already working.

“I very much hope that it will hold, and I will return again – there is no need for a policeman or an inspector. No disaster will happen if a person stays at home for 10 days,” Edelstein added, “Unfortunately, according to our data, about 70% of people came from abroad.” To and went into isolation also violated it. It is a fact that is impossible to live with, I hope we have all learned the lesson now. “

– The Prime Minister is rightly proud of vaccines, but there are allegations regarding the election slogan, for example, which is the same as that of the Ministry of Health – “Returning to life”. A petition was also filed on the subject. What do you think?
“Not only do I not worry that different parties use this slogan, but I call on everyone to emphasize this in the campaigns in the days leading up to the election. However, I must say that since there is proven success here for Netanyahu and the government, there are quite a few parties trying not to talk about it. And even harm him. “

– If we look at the number of dead, close to 6,000, we can say that there were also things that were not done. For example in relation to differentiation.
“I am the last to say that he did everything in an ideal way, but I repeat – there is probably no place in the world that did everything in this way in the struggle in Corona. There are no governments that are not criticized. The statements that Israel is an island country and our data should be like New Zealand, are “Idiots – and forgive me for being rude. What kind of island state are we in when 120, 130,000 workers from the Palestinian Authority enter us every day?”

– We have hundreds of thousands of modern vaccines, which, if understood correctly, will soon expire. Isn’t it time to give them to the Palestinians?
“First I will correct – the rumors that in the coming days the vaccines will expire are not based on anything. I do not know where they were born. Second, I would not be in such a hurry to give before we make sure that those vaccinated on the other side are people who should receive the vaccines. We have assisted the medical staff of the Palestinian Authority in the field, and at the moment we know that we are storing the workers who work in Israel legally and officially. These are people who, according to information held by the IDF and the Security Service, are not affiliated with any anti-Israel organization.

“We have not yet talked about the transmission of vaccines,” Edelstein added, “if there is a need to help with something – we will always be happy. But it will never be at the expense of the citizens of the State of Israel, they come first.”

– If we need another vaccine in the near future, will we have it? Nothing to fear?
“We will have this dish. I do not say this out of my heart’s desires, but out of a clear knowledge of what we are about to receive.”

– What will be the next reliefs for you? What can we expect?
“As usual, we’ll wait two weeks between stages, so next week we’ll be happy to discuss more options – maybe increasing the audience in places that keep the guidelines. For all those looking to increase and expand and add I say – first prove the ability in existing numbers, then we’ll talk about the sequel. The data that came this morning, I think we expect a good sequel. “