City of Ariel to Open COVID-19 Vaccination Center for Workers from PA

Jerusalem, 3 March, 2021 (TPS) -- The Israeli city of Ariel in Samaria will open a special Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination center for workers from the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the city, its mayor stated.

The Mayor of Ariel Eliyahu Shaviro announced Wednesday that the Ministry of Health approved to vaccinate the PA workers in the city after he exerted “prolonged pressure” on the ministry.

“It is important to emphasize that we are working with the Palestinians, and the fact that the Palestinian Authority does not vaccinate its citizens poses a health risk to the public,” he explained.

The center will open next week.

Shaviro stressed that “Palestinian workers without vaccination will not be allowed into the city – please pay attention and make sure to inform the Palestinian workers who work alongside you.”

The IDF’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced last week that it will launch a COVID-19 vaccination campaign for workers coming from the PA to work in Israel.

The operation includes the establishment of dedicated vaccination complexes at several crossings in Judea and Samaria and in industrial areas throughout the area.

The workers will be vaccinated by Israeli medical teams with Moderna vaccines, which have been assigned by the state.

Israel also allocated 5,000 vaccines from its stock to inoculate the PA’s medical staff, but they have taken only 2,000 so far.