Israel has issued regulations on opening up society, largely on the basis of a “green passport”, a system by which those who have been inoculated may enter hotels, swimming pools, synagogues, concert halls, and other public places. Those without the green passport can’t enter. This is a huge ethical issue.
Palestinian health workers and medical professionals in Gaza are still struggling to get their hands on the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, after Israeli authorities reportedly blocked the entry of 2,000 doses into the besieged territory, according to Palestinian officials.
Last week’s assurances that the first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine would arrive in the West Bank by Sunday went unfulfilled, as the coronavirus continues to spread albeit at a slower rate.
As Israel continues to deny responsibility for inoculating the Palestinian population in the occupied Palestinian territory, the government has carried on with its demolition campaign against Palestinian homes and structures.
Andrew Marr of the BBC grilled Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein about why Israel is not extending its vaccination program to the Palestinian people in territories it occupies, and Edelstein said Israel has no more obligation to them than the Palestinian minister of health has to “take care of dolphins in the Mediterranean.” Yes, you heard that right.
Palestinians are expected to receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccines as early as this weekend, albeit a much smaller shipment than first anticipated.
Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq is calling on the Pfizer pharmaceutical company to ensure that its COVID-19 vaccine is being used and distributed without discrimination, expressing concerns that Israel is using the company’s vaccine “to further entrench” injustices against Palestinians living under occupation.