By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D
JERUSALEM– Israel, along with a number of European countries, reacted to news of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus by closing its borders to foreigners.
Actually it was more complicated. Certain visa holders were allowed to board flights, but a mass of confusion at airports elsewhere complicated the process and left some of those out.
Also, all those arriving are said to be bound by requirements to isolate themselves for one or three days, again depending on circumstances. But now, with the news that Omicron is not so serious, there is talk about lifting isolation requirements.
Isolation seems to be a miserable existence, with regulations and exceptions, and who knows what food and other facilities will be available?
If you’re headed for a period of isolation, the advice is to stay home.
It’s not pleasant and has caused outrage among Jewish organizations. How can Israel close itself against Jews? But if they are not Israelis?
Again, conflict over definitions. Who’s a Jew? Who’s an Israeli? What’s the difference?
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Bennett advised Israelis to stay within the country. This, apparently, produced a lot of self-inspection, and considerable cancelling of holiday plans. Now Bennett’s own wife and children have travelled overseas. Lots of criticism, on prime time TV and other media. We’ll see what happens. The Prime Minister says that his family is subject to the same controls as others. He says that things have changed since his first comment about staying at home.. The family originally planned to visit a country now on the red list. So, they changed their plans and have visited another place.
How much will this cost Bennett? Trust? Support? The evenness of applying rules throughout the system? Overseas airports where individuals are allowed on planes? The Ben Gurion Airport? Sending arrivals to isolation? Enforcing such decisions? Throughout Israel and the many places where underlings are expected to apply the decisions of their superiors? Bennett’s job?
The facts about Omicron are less important. Serious figures are saying that Bennett made a mistake. His reputation, and that of Israel’s Prime Minister, is more important than his family’s vacation plans.
There remains a lot that is not known about this variant. Apparently, those with three inoculations are protected, at least from a serious onset of Coronavirus And while the variant seems to spread quickly, it doesn’t seem to be more serious than other variants.
But there remain something like a million Israelis who have avoided vaccinations. Now we’re hearing from a ranking health official that it is time to require Israelis to be innoculated. Or to face fines and other penalties.
A bus driver was attacked when he ordered a passenger to don a face mask.
Some countries are imposing requirements, and fines, on those who refuse to be vaccinated. So far, Israel’s controls are limited. And who knows how they are enforced?
Originally, Omicron was said to be the South African variant, and several arrivals from southern Africa have been found with it. But it’s spread, like other variants, and now seems worldwide.
So far, the Israeli government is holding to its two=week closing of the borders to non-Israelis, while scientists continue to gather information. Occasionally we hear predictions that Coronavirus will disappear after another year or so, but we also hear that it’ll be with us, more or less permanently. There are proposals for annual vaccination.
So, if you earn your living from tourism, start thinking of something else.
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Ira Sharkansky, PhD, is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com