Kobi Shabtai, commander of the Border Police, on September 28, 2017 (Moshe Shai/Flash90)
“There are many challenges facing you enforcing the coronavirus guidelines, the violence in Arab society, the difficult budget year ahead of us. I have no doubt that if there is a suitable person in the police force to deal with these challenges, it is you. We will stand by your side in the struggles and congratulate you on every success,” Ohana said.
Shabtai responded that he would focus on serious crime, road safety and the violence within Arab communities.
“I intend to ensure that our police officers go back to receiving the public appreciation they so deserve,” Shabtai said.
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France and Russia prepared to beef up their coronavirus inoculation programs from next week, even as authorities sought to allay concerns about supplies of the vaccines while the global pandemic shows no sign of being brought under control.
With infections surging past 94 million and more than two million deaths, and Europe among the hardest-hit regions, France and Russia were hoping to shift their vaccination programs into a higher gear from Monday.
That is when France, which saw its death toll rise past 70,000 at the weekend, is set to begin inoculating people over 75 and Russia will begin mass vaccinations.
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The fact that the number of ultra-Orthodox students who contracted coronavirus broke a record this past month is of no concern to them. Every day some 500 ultra-Orthodox students test positive for coronavirus in Jerusalem. Out of some 4,300 students who are confirmed COVID-19 carriers, 84 percent – about 3,600 – go to ultra-Orthodox schools. But as far as the Satmar, Toldot Aharon, Toldot Avrahm Yitzhak, Vizhnitze and Belz hasidic dynasties and the Jerusalem Lithuanian faction are concerned – the state’s instructions are mere recommendations. And it has transpired again and again that these recommendations were rejected.