Israel has started the vaccination campaign for Palestinian Authority workers working in agriculture in Israel. Vaccination of all those involved in the food production and supply chain will ensure the food security of the State of Israel, maintain stable economic activity and, most importantly, prevent the spread of the epidemic and new mutations.

"The various branches of agriculture, with their entire supply chain and processing systems, are essential to our economy. They promise that there will be no shortage of fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk and meat for Israeli success. The option to vaccinate All those involved in ensuring our food will maintain a stable economy in the industry, avoid labor shortages and allow for the continuous supply of fresh and varied local produce to all the public. Furthermore, it is a human decision that will protect the health of the farmers and the general public ", stressed the Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alon Schuster.

To continue providing food security to the citizens of Israel, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Nahum Itzkovich, contacted the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Yehezkel (Hezi) Levy, to vaccinate also to Palestinian workers working in agriculture. Take care of their health, as well as the health of those around them in the food production and supply chain, and especially so as not to harm the correct work in the different branches of agriculture.

At this time of year, there are around 11,000 Palestinian workers in Israel in a variety of jobs, from production in the fields to work in sorting and packing houses. Most of them come from the Palestinian Authority territories, move to Israel daily and return. These workers work closely with Israeli and foreign employers and workers, so their vaccination will allow for the functional and systemic continuity of the fresh produce supply chain and food safety for the consuming public. Furthermore, in light of the low level of immunization in the Palestinian Authority territories, vaccinating Palestinian workers will reduce the risk on both sides of the barricade. As a result, the Ministry of Agriculture has invested considerable efforts with professional and political bodies to promote the vaccination of Palestinian workers. As said, the ministry's efforts have paid off and the vaccination campaign will begin in the next few days, and will be carried out in practice at the crossings into Israel.

The Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Israel, Nahum Itzkovich has indicated that "with the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the Ministry of Agriculture agreed with the Ministry of Defense and the Coordinator of Government Operations in the Occupied Territories , ensured that the citizens of Israel can enjoy fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables. The desire and need to vaccinate them is first and foremost human and, second, it is necessary in a broad vision of public health. "