Following are Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's remarks, today (Sunday, 4 July 2021), at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting:
"Yesterday, during Shabbat, the Government of Cyprus appealed to us for assistance in extinguishing giant wildfires there. Last night, we approved the dispatch of two firefighting aircraft to Cyprus, together with material and equipment that will assist in controlling the fires.
“Cyprus is a great friend of Israel and we stand at its side. The assistance was quickly organized out in cooperation between the Foreign Minister, the Public Security Minister and the Prime Minister's Office. This is how things are done in this government – everything happens quickly, in rapid coordination, the transition from decision to execution. This is a functioning government that works well and we intend to continue on this path.
“Last week there was an increase in the rate of coronavirus infection. As part of the lessons of the past, we are not waiting to protect the health of Israeli citizens. It must be understood, the Delta variant is running amok around the world at a much higher rate than all of the previous variants, and we intend to protect the citizens of the State of Israel. Therefore, our goal is maximum protection of the citizens of Israel with minimum disruption of the normal lives of the citizens of Israel.
“For this to continue, we need your cooperation, citizens of Israel. Last week we called on young people aged 12-16 to go get vaccinated and I am pleased to announce that 100,000 young people of these ages have already been inoculated with the first injection.
“The daily pace for young people jumped six-fold in a week. Here we must thank the Health Minister on this matter. However, it is not enough. The sand in the hourglass is running out. Whoever has not yet been vaccinated is requested to make an appointment today. The vaccines work. The second dose is critical against the new variant, the Delta variant – and it works. There are five days left to receive the first injection in order for us to utilize the existing stocks that are about to expire.
“Regarding Ben-Gurion International Airport, we have reduced the connections, something that did not happen during the year-and-a-half in which any Israeli could fly directly to a red country without any warning. This is no longer happening.
“Flying to a red country is possible only with a permit and I update that people who tried to evade have also been removed from planes. We are not to pull one over on the virus because it cannot be fooled.
“During the week, we also appointed Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Ronni Numa to be in charge of the crossings, especially Ben-Gurion International Airport. There has been a significant improvement in test times at the airport and in managing the process. The testing facility is being built at this very moment by the Defense Ministry in cooperation with the Transportation Ministry and the Health Ministry. We are dealing with the mishaps of the past.
“A good word must be said here to Transportation Minister Michaeli, to Interior Minister Shaked, to Health Minister Horowitz and to Defense Minister Gantz for working together very nicely. I have heard from more than a few citizens who have returned from abroad that there has been a tangible improvement. We are ahead of the summer months in which there are many more flights and we will continue to monitor this, including me personally.
“From here, I call on the citizens of Israel: Wear masks in closed places. It works. The best vaccine against the coronavirus is masks. Masks work. Avoid crowding in closed places. If the citizens of Israel do not cooperate and if morbidity continues to increase, we will consider returning to part of the green standard restrictions; to this end, we will convene the Corona Cabinet if necessary.
“Last night, the IDF attacked in Gaza in response to incendiary balloons . I reiterate: Things have changed. Israel is interested in quiet and we have no interest in harming the residents of Gaza; however, violence, balloons, marches and harassment will be met with a sharp response.
“We are also working on a solution that will allow humanitarian assistance to the residents of Gaza but without suitcases full of dollars. Suitcases full of dollars are something we inherited and they need to be done away with.
“In closing, I would like to note that the national day to commemorate Zeev Jabotinsky falls this week. Jabotinsky, one of the great leaders of the Jewish people in the new era, was a symbol in both his life and his death.
“Over the years, he became a controversial figure, a leader whom almost all ends of the political spectrum adopted part of this teachings. It seems to me that all of the parties represented in this unity government of ours have adopted some things.
“The glory of Betar, his image as a leader, Jabotinsky's values and his teachings, for us, are inspiration for our public activity to this day. Alongside our political differences, every day we are all making the effort to find that which unites, to focus on that which unifies and to choose it over that which divides. We are implementing this heritage in our government, in actual practice, every day, With G-d's help, let us also continue."