VACCINE DONATIONS OFFERED FOR COUNTRIES THAT BACK JERUSALEM

Israel is to donate nearly 100,000 surplus doses of COVID vaccine to more than a dozen countries, apparently as a reward for diplomatic support in its bid to have Jerusalem recognized as its capital by the international community. The Czech Republic, Guatemala, Honduras and Hungary — states that have opened diplomatic missions in Jerusalem or pledged to do so — are reportedly soon to receive up to 5,000 doses each of the Moderna vaccine.

Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its capital. However, most countries base diplomats elsewhere because the claim is not recognized by the UN. Local media reports also suggested Italy, Chad and other unspecified African states would be handed jabs.

However, Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured, the Israeli prime minister, has been criticized for using the vaccine stockpile to reward friendly countries while donating only a few thousand doses to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.