Israel (over?)reacts to the virus
Panic over coronavirus has spread throughout the Middle East even faster than the virus itself. But nowhere in this volatile region is the anxiety as broad and as deep as in Israel.
What war, terrorism and economic boycotts of Israel have failed to achieve, fear over Covid-19 seems to be accomplishing: New government measures to combat the virus are poised to isolate the Jewish state from much of the world and depress the region’s most vibrant economy.
On Wednesday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose right-wing coalition just won the most seats in a third round of national elections, defended the draconian steps. Netanyahu called the epidemic “one of the most dangerous we’ve seen in the past 100 years.” He urged Israelis, for whom hugging, touching and kissing on two cheeks is as common as falafel, not to shake hands.
The government also announced a ban on foreign travel for government civil servants. Military chief of staff Lt.Gen. Aviv Kochavi deferred a planned trip to Washington and planned joint military exercises. The government ordered all Israelis returning from trips to France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Switzerland to quarantine themselves for two weeks after the last day of their visits there. Non-Israelis from these countries are now barred from entering Israel unless they can show that they have a place to be quarantined for the requisite 14 days.
Travelers to China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Macau, South Korea, Japan and Italy were already instructed to isolate themselves. Israel totally barred all foreign visitors who have recently been in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
More than 70,000 Israelis are reported to be holed up in their homes. Conventions and other large events attended by more than 5,000 people have been canceled. Gatherings of over 100 people of anyone who has returned from foreign travel anywhere in the past 14 days are also now prohibited.
A tour Wednesday night of downtown Tel Aviv reflected the anxiety here. Screening rooms at the city’s popular Cinematheque were deserted. So