Coronavirus commissioner Professor Roni Gamzu lashed out at the Arab Israeli community on Sunday for "almost carrying out a mass attack" against the country by flouting coronavirus restrictions.
In an interview with Israeli media, the former Health Ministry director said that the Arab sector had suffered some of the highest rates of infection since the outbreak of the pandemic, especially in east Jerusalem along with smaller villages scattered across the nation.
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"The Arab sector in the last two weeks, after the Eid al-Adha holiday, almost carried out an attack that would have resulted in hundreds of patients. Gatherings, riots, parties, complacency, apathy - thinking coronavirus would not hurt them," Gamzu said.
Health Ministry data shows east Jerusalem has one of the highest infection rates in the country, with some 40% of COVID-19 tests coming back as positive.
"I say to the Arab community, to their leaders and local authorities – you have the power," Gamzu said. "Do not wait for the government. Get help from the Home Front Command, from [the Health Ministry]."
The coronavirus chief later apologized for his remarks, stressing that he never intended to imply that Arab Israelis were purposefully trying to harm society.
Israel's Health Ministry said that the high infection rate was due to residents flouting coronavirus restrictions, adding that more than 100 people a day in east Jerusalem are testing positive for the disease since the Eid al-Adha holiday ended two weeks ago.
Gamzu also noted that nationwide lockdowns could return during Israel's high holidays in September in an effort to curb the spread of the disease.
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As of Sunday afternoon, 761 additional coronavirus cases were discovered across the country, with the Health Ministry stressing, however, that only 9,246 screening tests had been carried out.
At least 679 have died as a result of the disease, while 68,400 have recovered from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS
