The emergency government could be facing its first major crisis after a decision was made to suspend MK Yifat Shasha-Biton from her position as chair of the Knesset's Special Committee on Dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic after she publicly supported reopening gyms, against the opinion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a number of cabinet ministers, with whom she met on Monday.
The Corona committee approved on Monday a series of restrictions on which the cabinet decided last week, with exceptions for gyms and public pools. Shasha-Biton said that the decision was "well-considered" and had been made after "in-depth discussion and consultations with professionals."
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Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch (Likud) opposed the committee's decision, and said, "The goal of the order to prevent activity that endangers public health is to prevent a shutdown. We do not have complete, clear, unequivocal data about who contracts the virus from whom and where. In only 5% of cases is the source of the infection clear, but people gather at pools."
Coalition Chairman Miki Zohar said, "The vote here goes against the opinion of professionals, the Health Ministry, and the position of the coalition. The coalition won't accept it. With this vote, we spread the virus and cause damage … We will have to change the committee chairperson, the cabinet will submit a new request for a directive, and it will be submitted for a new vote in one committee or another."
Zohar called the committee's stance "populist and irresponsible."
Shasha-Biton told Israel Hayom after the kerfuffle began: "I opted for the right thing to do, what maintains the balance between our obligation to the health of the public and our obligation to keep the economy functioning. If I have to pay a price, I can accept that. I go with my truth."
Shasha-Biton, said she had consulted with experts who told her that Israel was not at a place that mandated a full shutdown.
"Health Ministry data shows that there is no significant spread of the virus in gyms. I am appealing to the public and saying that they must help me in this battle, they must follow instructions. That is the most important tool [in stopping the spread of coronavirus]," she said.
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