Israel’s internal security service said it started providing Prime Minister-designate Naftali Bennett with personal security on Thursday, after he signed a coalition deal with Yair Lapid to end Benjamin Netanyahu’s longstanding reign.
This move is unusual as Israel’s internal security service only protects the prime minister, president and leader of the opposition.
On Monday, the Shin Bet warned of an uptick in incitement against Bennett, his no. 2 in Yamina, Ayelet Shaked, and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, and ordered the police and the Knesset security to provide additional protection for Bennett and Shaked. The security for them has been increased to level 5 – one level less than the highest level of security.
The pandemic death toll in such facilities has plummeted from a peak of 5,000 a week to less than 300. And a global vaccination effort for low-income nations got a $2.4 billion boost.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled early Thursday that he would not go down without a struggle. He called on lawmakers to oppose “this dangerous left-wing government.”
Delhi on Tuesday reported 623 fresh COVID-19 cases, the lowest in two and a half months, and 62 more deaths, while the positivity rate fell below one percent for the second consecutive day.