Covid-19: Israel shares surplus vaccines with Palestinians news24.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from news24.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Israel s coronavirus vaccine scheme is the fastest in the world. Now it s being put to the test
By Middle East correspondent Tom Joyner and Fouad AbuGosh
Posted
MonMonday 22
updated
MonMonday 22
FebFebruary 2021 at 11:23pm
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As Israel s vaccine campaign inches closer to completion, the world is watching closely for a glimpse into what life could be like after the coronavirus pandemic.
Key points:
Nearly half of Israelis have received one shot, while a third have received both doses
Australia's vaccine scheme is only just getting started. But in Israel, where half its population has received at least one dose, the vaccinated are getting their old lives back, with gyms, pools and sporting grounds opening just for them.
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Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree ordering the respect of freedom of expression ahead of legislative elections in May.
The step was demanded by Palestinian factions who discussed the polls in talks brokered by Egypt this month.
In a subsequent decree, Mr Abbas allocated seven seats for Christians in the 132-seat Palestinian Legislative Council. The council, which the Palestinian Authority president dismissed in 2018, had six representatives for Christians, who make up 1 per cent of the Palestinian population.
The
decree bans all police pursuits and detentions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the rival Hamas group, for “reasons related to freedom of expression and political affiliation.” Prisoners held on such justifications must be freed, the decree says.
Gaza receives COVID vaccines from UAE, helped by Abbas rival by Reuters
Sunday, 21 February 2021 14:26 GMT
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By Nidal al-Mughrabi
GAZA, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Gaza received 20,000 doses of Russia s Sputnik V vaccine from the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, a move secured by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas s rival, Mohammad Dahlan, who is based in the Gulf state.
Gaza health officials said they would begin vaccination on Monday, with priority for medical workers and those with chronic diseases. Many patients were contacted in advance and asked to give their consent.