Netanyahu reaps gains from vaccines
Israeli prime minister pinning his reelection hopes on the success of his campaign to vaccinate Israel’s adult population.
JERUSALEM — Forget about oil and arms. Coronavirus vaccines are emerging as the newest currency of choice in the Middle East.
Israel’s reopening of its economy, combined with a murky prisoner swap with Syria and the arrival of a batch of vaccines in the Gaza Strip, have all underscored how those with access to the vaccines have political power in the turbulent region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been at the forefront of this trend, pinning his reelection hopes on the success of his campaign to vaccinate Israel’s adult population. At the same time, he has offered rewards to those who vaccinate and punishments to those who don’t.
Israel has jumped out to the world’s fastest vaccination campaign, administering at least one dose to more than half its 9.3 million people and the required two doses to about a third in less than two months. In contrast to the long waits seen in Europe and the U.S., vaccines are available almost on demand to anyone who wants one. Clinics have even offered free food and cappuccinos to help lure holdouts to come in and get a shot.
Netanyahu’s efforts seem to be bearing fruit, and the number of new coronavirus infections and serious cases is dropping. That enabled the government Sunday to lift a number of restrictions, reopening stores, shopping malls and many schools after a two-month lockdown. In the coming weeks, all schools and restaurants are expected to reopen, just in time for the March 23 election.
“The timing is good for him,” said Gideon Rahat, a political scientist at Israel’s Hebrew University.
Whether it is enough to divert attention from an ongoing corruption trial and the broader economic damage caused by the pandemic is another issue.
Much will depend on Netanyahu’s “agenda setting,” Rahat said. “He will talk about the vaccines all the time,” he said, while others will focus on his missteps over the past year.
Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs and businesses during a series of lockdowns, and there is widespread public anger over the flouting of restrictions by the ultra-Orthodox religious community, one of Netanyahu’s key political allies.
Sticking to his script, Netanyahu on Saturday unveiled his “green pass” program, which will allow the fully vaccinated to attend cultural events, fly abroad and patronize restaurants and health clubs.
Israel has faced international criticism for largely excluding Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip from the vaccination campaign.
Yet Netanyahu reportedly showed little hesitation in agreeing to pay Russia some $1.2 million to buy vaccines for archenemy Syria as part of a deal last week to release an Israeli woman held captive in Damascus.
Netanyahu boasted last week that his warm ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin helped clinch the deal.
Asked about the reported deal, Netanyahu said “not one Israeli vaccine” was delivered to Syria — a country that harbors hostile Iranian forces.
But he would not say whether Israel had paid Russia for the vaccines.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has struggled to secure vaccines for his people. He has received 2,000 doses from Israel to treat medical workers in the West Bank, and 10,000 doses from Russia.
On Sunday, Mohammed Dahlan, one of Abbas’ main rivals, orchestrated the delivery of 20,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine from the United Arab Emirates.