In yet another case of a senior public official violating coronavirus lockdown directives, it was reported on Tuesday that Shin Bet security agency Director Nadav Argaman hosted relatives at his home during the Sukkot holiday in violation of social distancing directives.
According to the report by the Kan 11 News, family members including Argaman's daughter, his wife's daughter and her husband and son, and others – some reportedly arriving from far away – visited Argaman's private residence in central Israel for several hours.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The Israel Security Agency said in a statement that it does "not comment on issues relating to the private life of the Shin Bet's director."
On Monday, Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel found herself in hot water after it became clear she violated lockdown restrictions over Yom Kippur. Worse for the minister, it was later revealed that she had apparently lied in her initial epidemiological questioning.
On Tuesday, the police moved closer to requesting formal approval to interrogate Gamliel. Only Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit has the authority to authorize such an investigation of a minister.
A poll on Channel 12 News found that 76% of the public believes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should fire Gamliel, 17% said he should not to fire her, and 7% had no opinion on the matter.
Gamliel has acknowledged wrongdoing and said she would pay a 5,000 shekel ($1,465) fine, but she is not expected to resign or be fired by Netanyahu.
Science and Technology Minister Izhar Shay (Blue and White) became the first minister in the cabinet to call on Gamliel to resign on Tuesday.
Coronavirus commissioner Professor Ronni Gamzu expressed "disappointment" that Gamliel violated regulations and said that "an elected official should understand how this damages public trust."
He added that "the public expects to see that [its leaders] are doing what is asked of it."
Gamzu would not comment on whether Gamliel should step down. He acknowledged that she had apologized for what she did wrong.
"I do not choose for ministers what steps to take before the public," he concluded.
One member of Gamliel's own Likud party, meanwhile, lambasted the minister.
"We are making every mistake possible," a party MK told Israel Hayom. "The decision to halt sporting events and team training sessions hurt us. There are many soccer fans among our voters, and it angered them. The grave mistake made by Minister Gila Gamliel also caused damage and anger among our constituents. They aren't going to the left. They are going [further] right. We are paying for these mistakes."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
