By Ira Sharkansky
JERUSALEM — According to some government ministers, it’s time to close ourselves off from the world. Airplanes and airports are obvious places for Coronavirus to pass from one to another. Vaccinations help, and moderate the seriousness of the disease. But they do not prevent spread.
And slightly more than a month from now, schools are scheduled to open.
What to do?
Teach the children to remain in masks, stay away from close contact, no hugging?
So far the airport remains open, but with increased restrictions. Requirements of isolation upon those returning, and a list of countries to which it is forbidden to travel. But controls are imperfect. It remains possible to fly to country X, then fly to the forbidden country. And controls on required isolation are far from perfect.
Currently about 30,000 Israelis leave the country each day. Despite appeals from the Prime Minister and the Health Ministry to avoid unnecessary travel. But it’s summer vacation. People are tired of controls. They want freedom. Even, perhaps, if it is to remain closed up in a hotel in some foreign country, hoping to avoid infection, and dealing with isolation upon returning. Or even worse, getting sick abroad, and having to cope with whatever help is provided, at whatever cost.
Could the airport be closed? What about all the Israelis abroad? And how about close relatives of Israelis, who want to visit them? Currently it’s required to obtain approval, under conditions, for first degree relatives of Israelis. Others need not apply, unless there is something special requiring their visit.
The Minister of Health says that the airport will remain open. Others are not so sure. Some 10 percent of current infections come from overseas, and all the known variants of Coronavirus are already here. Some of those advocating closure say that the airport will remain open for freight shipments, and essential travel.
What’ll be essential?
What’ll it take to allow those Israelis who’ve travelled to return home? Or how many will be required to expand their stays in overseas hotels?
Here’s the latest restrictions with respect to travel abroad, or travel to Israel by non-Israelis.
Those violating the various controls are subject to fines of up to 5,000 NIS.
Media personalities are asking one another, on air, if they intend to travel. So do, and some with young children.
There are various requirements about being vaccinated, or recovered from the disease. But young children are below the age for being vaccinated, and still liable to infection.
And schools? Discussions as if the 1st of September is long in the future.
There’s also a brouhaha about Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, said by its international owners to be unavailable for sale in the Occupied Territories. And comments about the minority of overseas Jews in favor of describing Israel as a country that practices apartheid, and oppresses the Palestinians. But Ben and Jerry’s local producers are opposed to the boycott. Some Americans are responding by boycotting Ben and Jerry’s. Where will all this end?
And comments in the media about the price of fruits and vegetables in Israel, along with proposals by the Finance Minister to open the country to more competition from abroad. Farmers respond with their own reports about the price of water, labor, and taxes in Israel, all much more expensive than in Morocco or Turkey. Complications prevail. Where will this end?
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Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D, is professor emeritus of political science t Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com