Diplomatic Events

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Written by Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry

Published: 24 September 2020

The Cabinet decided on a general lockdown starting at 14:00 tomorrow Friday, 25 September 2020, for two weeks, with an option to extend it.

.The Cabinet held a discussion to evaluate the necessary steps in light of the sharp jump in the morbidity data and the experts' forecasts, and decided on a general lockdown starting at 14:00 tomorrow Friday, 25 September 2020, for two weeks, with an option to extend it.

The full regulations with the list of workplaces that will be approved to operate under the lockdown restrictions will be issued later today pursuant to Cabinet approval.

The Cabinet decided on the following additional regulations:

* Closure of all workplaces, except essential workplaces that will operate according to the regulations that will be approved.

* Open-air markets will be closed.

* Stores that sell food and pharmacy products, and those that provide essential services will be allowed to continue operating.

* People are restricted from going more than 1,000 meters from their homes, except for reasons that will be approved.

 * Prayers and demonstrations will be allowed in open areas only, up to 20 people and at a radius of no more than 1,000 meters from one's home. (Regarding demonstrations, the decision is subject to Knesset legislation).

* Synagogues will be closed during the lockdown, except for Yom Kippur prayers according to the outline that has been approved.

* Public transportation will operate in a reduced format.

 * Air travel – The decision will be submitted for approval later today.

 * A general lockdown in all sports sectors except for official international games.

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Written by Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry

Published: 17 July 2020

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday evening (Thursday, 16 July 2020), convened the Cabinet to discuss and decide on interim steps to prevent a general lockdown in light of the sharp increase in the morbidity of the coronavirus.

For the Prime Minister's remarks at the start of the meeting, please click here.

The Cabinet decided on the following restrictions – which were approved as an order to amend and uphold the validity of "Emergency Regulations (Restricted Activity) -- on the recommendation of the Health Ministry and the National Security Council:

The order takes effect at 17:00 today (Friday, 17 July 2020). Pending Knesset approval, and pursuant to law, the restrictions will take effect today as per the above.

General restrictions (seven days a week, effective at 17:00 today, Friday):

* Closure of gyms and studios for exercise or dance, except for use by competitive athletes, as defined in the order.

* Restaurants and eateries – takeaway and delivery only, no on-site seating.

* Restaurants and eateries in hotels – The number of people present will be limited to 35% of the maximum number allowed in order to permit the continued operation of the hotel.

Weekend restrictions (to take effect from 17:00 on Fridays until 05:00 on Sunday)

* There will be no restriction on leaving one's home.

* During the weekend, being on beaches shall be prohibited (except for this weekend, 17-18 July, when beaches shall remain open).

* During the weekend, stores, malls, open-air markets, hair salons/barbershops, beauty parlors, libraries, petting zoos, museums and display spaces, pools, tourist attractions and cable cars shall be closed.

This restriction shall not apply to stores providing essential services: Places for the sale of food, pharmacies and stores most business of which is the sale of hygiene products, opticians and labs for the repair of communications devices.

This restriction shall not apply to swimming pools at hotels that are designated for hotel guests only in order to allow hotels to provide the main ancillary services to their guests, during weekends as well).

In addition to the Cabinet decision and pursuant to the policy of reducing gatherings, the following actions were agreed on:

1. The Health Ministry Director General will sign an order prohibiting gatherings that will allow up to 10 people to meet in closed areas and up to 20 people in open areas (except places of work and nuclear families). This will take effect at 17:00 today (Friday, 17 July).

2. The Cabinet authorized the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister / Alternate Prime Minister – following consultation with the ministers of Finance, Health and Education – to decide regarding restrictions on the education system. The decisions, upon being made, will be issued to the public.

3. Reduction of reception at government ministries – transition to online services (subject to legislative changes where appropriate).

4. Government ministries: Reduction to 50% presence in ministries – responsibility of the Civil Service Commissioner and the Finance Ministry Wages Director.

5. Closure of dining rooms at places of work – takeaway service only.

Violation of any of the above restrictions shall constitute a criminal offense.

Photo Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (archive). Photo: GPO/Amos Ben Gershom. 

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Written by Technion Spokesperson's Office

Published: 10 August 2020

All students on Israel’s Chemistry Team won medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad – including Israel’s first gold medal in the last decade.

Israel’s Chemistry Team that was trained at the Technion has been awarded a gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad, which recently took place online due to COVID-19.

Over the past week, 240 young girls and boys from 60 countries around the world participated in the 52nd International Chemistry Olympiad, hosted this year by Turkey. The event was held via Zoom due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The State of Israel has been participating in the Olympiad since 2006. This year’s achievements were outstanding - all team members won medals and for the first time in a decade, and one student won gold.

The four high school students who formed Israel’s Chemistry Team were:

Roi Peer from Gan Haim – Gold

Bar Sheffer from Ein Vered – Silver

Ron Shprints from Ashdod – Silver

Ward Yahya from Taibe – Bronze

Since 2017, Israel’s Science Teams have operated under a joint venture between Israel's Ministry of Education and the Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center, who together have supported and managed Israel’s participation in the International Olympiads for high school students in four disciplines. The Chemistry team was trained at the Schulich Faculty of Chemistry at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.

The team was selected over a year-long process overseen by Professor Zeev Gross of the Technion's Faculty of Chemistry, who also serves as Dean of the Unit for Continuing and External Studies, as well as heading a variety of national youth programs in chemistry, together with the team’s head coach, Dr. Izana Nigel-Etinger. The training process was also assisted by ex-medalists Raz Lotan, an undergraduate student in mathematics, Assaf Mauda, who holds a B.A. and M.Sc. in chemistry and is currently a master’s student in computer sciences, and Ron Refaeli, an undergraduate student in chemistry, all at the Technion.

Education Minister Yoav Galant congratulated Israel’s Chemistry Team: "Israeli students, the country’s future generation, reach extraordinary international achievements in science competitions time and time again – even during this complex period. The Ministry of Education will continue to invest in and support training Israel’s Science Teams. This goes hand-in-hand in developing and boosting capacities of all Israeli students throughout the country, and providing equal opportunity for all students to maximize their potential across a range of fields."

Amit Edri, Director General of the Ministry of Education: "Israel's education system is recording another impressive achievement in science. The victories of the students at the International Olympics in Chemistry and the European Competition in Physics place Israel at the forefront of the world of science. And on this front, we would like to see a broader representation of female students later on. Given the importance of the issue, I intend to advance this important goal. I congratulate our students on their impressive achievements, and would like to thank the dedicated team of coaches who worked tirelessly to reach this important moment. "

Dr. Ofer Rimon, Deputy Director Computer Communication: "Israel’s Chemistry Team has represented the State of Israel and our education system with great honor. The team is a model for excellence in which we will continue to invest, in order to provide our students with the best tools to enable them to conquer mountains and allow Israel to be amongst the world’s leading countries. "

Eli Fried, Director General of Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center: "I congratulate the students in Israel’s Chemistry Team, who have brought much pride to the State of Israel. Notwithstanding the challenging times we face, our students stayed the course throughout the year, demonstrating an extraordinary level of perseverance and determination that ultimately paid dividends. The Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center, together with the Ministry of Education, will continue supporting the highly gifted students that participate in Israel’s Science Teams, as an investment in the future of Israel’s scientific leadership."

Professor Zeev Gross, Technion's Faculty of Chemistry and Head of Youth Programs: "Congratulations to our students who bravely shouldered the high preparatory demands and took on the maximum in real-time: a 5-hour theoretical test of more than 100 questions. Extensive and in-depth training efforts were led by Dr. Izana Nigel Etinger.

Schulich Faculty of Chemistry Dean Professor Moris Eisen and his head of administration Hanna Olshtein, program coordinator Shirley Kaplan and laboratory engineers Gabriela Halevi and Emma Gretz, also assisted in this comprehensive effort. Special thanks to former Olympiad medalists and current Technion students - Assaf Mauda, Raz Lotan, and Ron Refaeli - who contributed their experience and time."

The abovementioned four pupils alongside Michael Balgola from K'far Hayarok and Itamar Steinitz from Ramat Hasharon also participated in the Asian-European Mendeleev Chemistry Olympiad (online). The competition took place 10 days earlier and was joined by representatives from 27 countries. The Israeli team won 2 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Photo credit: Future Scientists Center

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Written by Prime Minister's Media Adviser

Published: 29 June 2020

PM Netanyahu Convenes Corona Cabinet for Further Discussion of Necessary Restrictions in Light of High Morbidity Data

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Monday, 29 June 2020), convened the Corona Cabinet for further discussion of the necessary restrictions in light of the high morbidity data.

The Corona Cabinet ministers decided unanimously on the following steps to restrict social gatherings:

* Event halls and cultural events: Up to 250 in attendance

* Circumcisions and funerals: Up to 50 in attendance

* Weddings:

Until 9 July 2020 – Up to 250 in attendance.

The public and hall owners are called upon to hold weddings in open spaces as much as possible.

From 9-31 July 2020, up to 250 in attendance in an open area. Indoor venues may be used up to 50% capacity and no more than 100 people.

* Houses of worship and other gatherings – up to 50 people.

* Higher education – Transition to online exams (except for instances agreed to between the Education Ministry and the Council for Higher Education.

* Work in the public sector – 30% work from home (as per the arrangements to be determined by the Civil Service Commissioner and with administrative flexibility for ministry director generals).