The coronavirus crisis is also having an impact on the security front: A video of an IDF soldier spitting on the ground while on patrol in the Hebron area over the weekend has made the rounds in the Palestinian territories, sparking a wave of rumors and allegations that the Israeli army is infecting the Palestinians with the virus.
Hebron Mayor Tayseer Abu Sneineh said the soldiers' patrol route would be disinfected.
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The story spread throughout the Palestinian territories and on Sunday Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said: "Some of the soldiers are trying to spread viruses on car windshields and this stems from racist education and being taught to hate. These are people who wish for the deaths of others."
Shtayyeh called on Palestinian laborers to avoid working in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, because, in his words, they are illegal and ridden with disease.
An Israeli defense official responded to the allegations, saying it was "regretful that at this time in particular, while the State of Israel is working tirelessly to help the Palestinian Authority fight the spread of the coronavirus, the PA prime minister chose to spread incitement against Israel and the security forces.
"We condemn these vile words of incitement by Shtayyeh and remind the Palestinian public and international community of all the medical aid transferred daily by Israel and with its help to the public in Judea and Samaria -- including thousands of testing kits, protective and disinfectant gear, medical training and more," the official said.
