Sammy Revel, Ambassador of Israel in Cyprus

Coronavirus knows no borders, as has become all too clear. Countries the world over are all facing the same challenges to public health and their economies. Israel emerged as a leading nation in the global fight against coronavirus, learning from others and sharing its own experience. In particular, since the outbreak of the virus Israel exchanged expertise and treatment methods with Cyprus.

Israel began its vaccination drive in late December 2020 and within just the first two days of the campaign, nearly 30,000 Israelis were already given their first dose. Now, just a few weeks later, over 2 million Israelis have received their vaccination shot. More than 80 percent of the people above 80 years old have already been vaccinated and the country is on track to vaccinate all citizens over the age of 16 by the end of March 2021.

This speedy and ambitious target has been made possible through a new deal that Israel inked with pharmaceutical companies in early January. Dubbed ‘Operation Back to Life’, Israel is set to receive ongoing shipments of the vaccine over the coming months, which will enable the country to reach its bold target and become one of the first countries in the world to exit from the coronavirus crisis.

Moreover, by sharing its statistical data with Pfizer and the world, Israel will also play a key role in demonstrating the efficacy of the vaccine and developing global strategies to overcome the pandemic. In fact, Israel's small population of some nine million and its highly efficient public health system mean that the country is going to play an essential role for pharmaceutical companies. The success and experience of our vaccination campaign will be used to provide the critical information that pharmaceutical companies need in order to make the vaccine even more effective for other countries. By being the first country in the world to vaccinate its entire population with the novel vaccine, Israel will serve as the world's key experimental subject.

Israel’s universal healthcare system is globally recognized for its efficiency and effectiveness. Israel has developed a sophisticated and high-quality level of individual patient care, and all Israeli citizens and permanent residents are guaranteed healthcare under the country’s National Health Insurance Law.  Moreover, its national healthcare services enjoy a uniquely advanced level of digitization, which will make Israel's data particularly important to pharmaceutical companies. 

It was this comprehensive system of doctors, nurses, and medics that rapidly mobilized in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and which is now working towards vaccinating the entire country within a matter of months. In fact, Israel's constant and daily battle with existential threats meant that it was especially well placed to handle an emergency of the magnitude that coronavirus brought on. 

I believe that this new reality presents also new opportunities for Israel – Cyprus ties. We have a solid foundation to build on, as the relations between our two countries are stronger than ever before - on heads of state, ministers and experts level. This partnership, based on geographical proximity, our shared values ​​and shared challenges, is very important in normal times. It is especially important in times of emergency, such as during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Israel and Cyprus can build specifically on the strong ties in the health field. Senior doctors from Cyprus studied medicine in Israel and today dozens of medical students from Israel study in a joint program of the University of Nicosia and the Sheba Hospital. The direct open line between Cypriot and Israeli doctors has often helped save lives, such as emergency evacuations to Israel of patients needing emergency care. 

In recent years, we also invested important efforts to create a comprehensive framework for cooperation between Israel and Cyprus in the fields of science and technological innovation. As we look today to the COVID-19 challenge, multiple companies and startups in Israel are developing much-needed innovative products. The science and technology innovation bridge between Israel and Cyprus can be of great value in this respect. It can assist in finding new necessary solutions to combat the Coronavirus and to develop solutions for the day after. 

As we look forward, a particularly important issue is the renewal of the aviation connection between Israel and Cyprus. This is especially true for both of our countries, which depend significantly on air travel. The first priority is to ensure the health of passengers and their safety, but in spite of the complex situation, we hope that Israelis and Cypriots will be able soon once again to cross the short distance between our two countries. This will open the door to renewed dynamism in our economic relations – in trade, industry, energy, technological innovation and tourism. We need to proceed carefully, but we can rely on our solid partnership and the medical and scientific bridge linking our neighboring countries.

The coronavirus still presents a serious health challenge and we should not relax our efforts to confront the risks. Yet, the changing reality, due to the vaccination campaign, should drive us to start planning ahead. This will allow, hopefully already this springtime, to open the door to renewed opportunities for relations between Israel and Cyprus, for the benefit of our people as well as our ties with other like-minded countries.