Israeli Health Care Appreciation Awards (2 Videos & Photo Essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 06/06/21

Jerusalem, Israel - June 6, 2021 - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, on Sunday evening, June 6, 2021, attended at the Jerusalem Theater an appreciation ceremony for health system personnel and partner agencies for their contribution to the fight against the coronavirus. Former Health Minister Yaakov Litzman was also in attendance. 

The program began with the singing of Hatikvah and standing for a minute of silence in the memory of those who died from the coronavirus. Acting National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat was the first speaker. Yesterday, the number of reported new cases of the coronavirus in Israel was reported to be four people. 

In his remarks, Netanyahu proudly stated, "Israel's victory was achieved thanks to two basic elements: The millions of vaccines that we brought to the country and their rapid distribution to the citizens of Israel. This morning we also began vaccinating young people aged 12-16. This is huge news; it promises us herd immunity."

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Health Minister Edelstein noted that the law for wearing masks indoors has not been lifted. The audience in the theater, filled to capacity with health officials, was mostly masked as they sat through the program. 

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz addressed the ceremony by videoconference.

Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, "COVID-19 has been one of the most challenging and devastating health crises the world has ever faced. But now, thanks to the work and dedication of so many brilliant scientists in the biopharmaceutical industry, we have many breakthrough vaccines and treatments that allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Also, scenes from the past year were shown in a short video before the dozens of certificates were presented. Day #100 was the flyover of Israeli hospitals, instead of the usual Yom Haatzmaut air show. Rosh Hashannah was day #263 of the pandemic and remembered with an image of an outdoor, socially distanced minyan.