In public health terms, Israel has met most of the objectives required at this phase to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country, but at the cost of severe damage to the economy. Therefore, this framework recommends that after the Passover holiday, the country begin to transition to the next phase: toward resuming economic activity, taking a gradual and differential approach – restarting prioritized activity of vital economic branches, while taking a calculated risk of a limited rise in the spread of the virus. Economic...
The outbreak of the coronavirus dealt a harsh blow to the Iranian economy, which had already fallen to a record low point in the wake of economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the decline of oil prices. The economic impact of the pandemic is particularly severe because it harms sectors that were less affected by the sanctions. The regime is currently attempting to contain the economic crisis and supply immediate solutions for citizens, primarily in the form of assistance packages for the needy. Tehran is trying to gain...
The Palestinian arena was already in a weakened state and at a political, economic, and national crossroads in both the West Bank, under the Palestinian Authority, and the Gaza Strip, under Hamas rule, when the corona pandemic hit. The situation in the West Bank is better than in Gaza, which in part reflects a significant gap in the capabilities of the respective leaderships to confront the crisis. While the Palestinian Authority is striving to prove its ability to deal with the crisis, there is serious concern in the Gaza Strip that...
The coronavirus pandemic has placed an additional burden on Lebanon, which was already experiencing one of the worst crises in its history. With a failing economy, the country is on the verge of insolvency. According to official statistics, so far the number of infected people is relatively low (a few hundred), but the low rate of testing and the concealment of data suggests that the real figure is likely much higher. The Lebanese government has adopted strong measures and announced an emergency situation and nighttime curfew, but is...
The corona pandemic reached Israel before various legal provisions necessary to enhance the country’s preparedness for an emergency were approved. Legislation is required in order to replace older rules, make structural changes, and grant the relevant authorities the effective capacities to deal with the economy and with issues affecting the civilian population. Decision making at this time highlights how much is lacking in the law books on essential state means and powers. For instance, legislation of a “home front law” is necessary...
On March 31, 2020, a war game was held at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) simulating a cabinet session about the coronavirus crisis, attended by cabinet ministers, advisers, and experts (played by INSS researchers and other participants with relevant expertise). The war game, led by Brig. Gen. (ret.) Itai Brun and conducted through Zoom, considered Israeli policy on the coronavirus crisis and, in particular, strategic options for exiting the lockdown after Passover. The war game was part of the Institute’s...
Like most countries today, Israel is in a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic. This situation requires taking far-reaching steps to contain the spread of the disease. Moreover, the coronavirus crisis broke out at the height of a political crisis in Israel that has continued for over a year, with a transitional government in place following turbulent elections. States of emergency challenge a democratic regime at any time, but the combination of the health crisis and the political crisis has increased fears among some...
The corona crisis, which has fueled a high degree of global uncertainty and increased the chances of distorted perceptions, will likely also have an impact on Israel’s strategic environment. While the outbreak of the virus reduces the chances of military escalation anytime soon, a brainstorming session held at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) highlighted ten negative scenarios that could occur during the crisis. The outbreak itself could increase the likelihood of: a collapse of regimes and governing systems, a wave...
Itai Brun | Yoel Guzansky | Daniel Rakov | Sarah J. Feuer
Israel is not far from a complete lockdown. The policy, driven at the urging of the health system in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, comes with increasing economic and social costs. As a result of the crisis, some 900,000 people have joined the ranks of the unemployed (including unpaid leave) and the numbers are increasing. At this time, with health authorities unable to predict when the pandemic will peak, there is a need for a cautious and integrated public health–economic policy that will allow a continued...
Shmuel Even | Zvi Eckstein | Sasson Hadad | Avihai Lifschitz | Sergei Sumkim
The Chinese response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been reflected in varying intensities in medical, economic, and public relations terms in accordance with the spread of the virus. After China managed to gain control over the domestic outbreak, the Chinese government directed significant attention to the international arena in an effort to bolster China’s image as a responsible global power, and to take advantage of the infection’s outbreak around the world in order to promote its ideas and influence. However, in the...
The dissemination of information in Arabic about the coronavirus pandemic, along with social distancing and hygiene-related instructions to the public has increased the Arab community’s awareness of the severity of the crisis. The Arab public as a whole and its leaders – political, social, and religious – have devoted greater attention to the guidelines and worked to implement them on a broader basis. At the same time the Arab public must cope with social, religious, and economic challenges particular to their communities. The crisis...
The number of people in Israel infected with the coronavirus continues to rise, a large part of the economy is shut down, and the state is edging closer to a full lockdown. This article compares the strategy adopted by the Israeli government with an alternative strategy proposed by critics. Above all, the political echelon, which demands from the people sacrifice at times of crisis and war, must rise above political disputes and unite to enable Israel to handle the crisis in the best way possible. In this context, it is necessary to...
