After sweeping aside restrictions and celebrating a return to normal life, Israel is now grappling with a spike in coronavirus cases.
In June, Israelis left their masks at home for the first time in more than a year. After a widely praised vaccination campaign, just a few dozen infections were being registered each day and scrapping mandatory mask-wearing was welcomed as a sign of triumph.
But just weeks later, masks are back on and Israel’s daily cases have topped 10,000.
We are seeing people who are going to die because they didn’t get vaccinated.
Ameer Elemy,
head of intensive care at a Nazareth hospital
“We are a little bit afraid of what’s happening with this wave,” said Ameer Elemy, head of coronavirus care at Nazareth Hospital EMMS, in northern Israel.
“It’s the Delta variant, it’s very obvious for all the world,” Dr Elemy said.
The coronavirus variant was first detected in Israel in April. By mid-August it accounted for 98 per cent of cases, the health ministry said.
Hospitalisations and deaths are going up in tandem with infections, with nearly 700 seriously ill patients out of a population of nine million. Such figures have not been seen since early March.
When 31 patients died nationwide on August 22, it was the highest daily death toll since February.
“We are seeing people who are going to die because they didn’t get vaccinated,” said Dr Elemy.
Serach Doitch, an intensive care nurse at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, a coastal city, said the majority of patients are either over 60 or unvaccinated.
“There’s a lot of young women. [There were] two 20-year-olds who were pregnant, they had to do emergency C-sections,” she said, adding that the mothers and babies survived.
Health ministry data shows the vast majority of the seriously ill are unvaccinated.
Although Israel was celebrated for rolling out one of the world’s fastest vaccination drives, inoculations tapered off at below 60 per cent of the population.
Nadir Arber of Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Medical Centre said some patients express regrets once reaching hospital.
“How stupid I was,” he recalled some saying. “Most of them; not all of them.”
Israel has also reported vaccine protection waning among those who were inoculated at the start of the year, prompting the government to roll out a programme of third shots.
The World Health Organisation has opposed the move, arguing the focus should be on ensuring the equitable distribution of vaccines worldwide.
For example, Palestinian health ministry figures show just 8.5 per cent of Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank have received two doses.
Israel has inoculated more than 100,000 Palestinians with Israeli work permits, but has not included the broader population of five million in its vaccination drive.
In Israel there is broad support for administering the third vaccine dose, with more than 1.7 million residents receiving the shot so far.
“I thought we were not going to face a fourth wave, I was wrong. I think now with the third vaccination it will eventually go away,” said Dr Arber.
The Israeli government has put vaccinations at the centre of their coronavirus strategy this summer. As part of the campaign, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was photographed alongside his mother and daughter as they received shots.
The rise in infections has also been met with fresh restrictions, such as testing and a one-week quarantine for the vast majority of residents returning from abroad.
Only those carrying a “green pass” - which shows recovery from coronavirus, a recent negative test or proof of vaccination - can enter venues such as gyms and restaurants.
“I think the most important thing is to go back to normal life. I’m concerned that the entire world is going to stop moving,” said Dr Arber, an advocate of the green pass approach.
After weeks of wrangling, the Israeli government has decided to forge ahead with plans to start the school year on September 1.
Children are currently being tested to see if they have antibodies against coronavirus, a policy Mrs Doitch described as a “really good idea”. Those who are registered with sufficient antibodies will be exempt from quarantine if there is a virus outbreak in their school.
In Nazareth, Dr Elemy was supportive of opening classrooms despite the likelihood it will lead to a rise in infections.
“I think we need to open the schools and handle the infections in the schools,” he said, while suggesting there should be more restrictions in other areas of life.
“Maybe to close bars, to limit the number of people going to weddings,” he said.
The government has been wary of closing businesses, given the economic damage wrought by three lockdowns under the former administration.
The second shutdown was imposed last September on the eve of the Jewish holiday season, amid a raging infection rate.
The government is yet to announce measures for this year’s festivities, which begin on September 6, with the premier saying a lockdown is avoidable.
“Defeating this wave is within our grasp,” Mr Bennett said on Sunday. “If the public continues to get vaccinated en masse, if we continue to wear masks properly and if we continue to act responsibly, we will celebrate the holidays with our families, freely.”
In Haifa, Mrs Doitch said greater awareness of the vaccination and adherence to wearing masks will be needed to push the infection rate down.
“We see here that a lot of people in Israel, they’re not as careful as they used to be,” the nurse said.
In the second year of the pandemic, medical staff are far more knowledgeable about Covid-19.
“We still wear the protective equipment like we did before but we’re not as scared at going in as we were before,” Mrs Doitch said of the intensive care ward.
While the fear has subsided, some doctors and nurses are growing weary of the heavy protective equipment that makes it difficult to move.
“The equipment itself is very tiring … It takes a lot more out of you,” Mrs Doitch said. “We want to go back to our regular lives.”
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELong-range%20dual%20motor%20with%20400V%20battery%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E360kW%20%2F%20483bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E840Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20628km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh360%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How to book
Call DHA on 800342
Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation text message
Present the SMS and your Emirates ID at the centre
DHA medical personnel will take a nasal swab
Check results within 48 hours on the DHA app under ‘Lab Results’ and then ‘Patient Services’
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E666hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%20at%202%2C300-4%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQ1%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh1.15%20million%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaldoon%20Bushnaq%20and%20Tariq%20Seksek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20100%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20to%20date%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2415%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Celtic Prince, David Liska (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Grand Argentier, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
Winner: Arch Gold, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Ibn Malik, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
10pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
more from Janine di Giovanni
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
