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'We Survived Pharaoh': Netanyahu Says Israel Will Defeat Coronavirus With God's Help

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JERUSALEM, Israel - On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enacted new and more restrictive measures to combat COVID-19. As of Thursday afternoon, more than 2,600 Israelis have been infected and eight elderly Israelis with pre-existing medical conditions have died. 

In the war against the coronavirus, checkpoints are becoming part of life for Israelis.

"We want people to stay at home. We don't want people to go out unless absolutely necessary. And therefore, based on the new laws and orders, people will only be allowed to leave their houses until 100 meters (328 feet),” said Israeli Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. “There'll be roadblocks that will be set up. People can only leave their houses for vital necessities such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and medical treatment and assistance if necessary."

The new regulations forbid:

  • Employees from coming to work with a temperature of more than 38 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • All non-essential shopping
  • Trips to public parks and playgrounds   
  • Traveling more than 100 meters (328 feet) from home

"Now I'm going home and I'm not intending to come out until the government says it will be ok,” said Jerusalem resident Niria Simantov, 38.

Police also closed Jerusalem’s iconic open-air market Mahane Yehuda and Muslim authorities have closed the Temple Mount indefinitely.     

Trips are allowed to the grocery store, doctors and pharmacies. 

Prime Minister Netanyahu invoked the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 4 and pleaded with Israelis to obey: “I say this as clearly as possible: You must stay home! Stay home – stay alive. The danger lurks for everyone … 'Take good heed unto yourselves.' [ ]”

While Israel battles the coronavirus pandemic, it appears unlikely Benny Gantz’s opposition Blue and White party will agree to a national unity emergency government with Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party. 

On Wednesday, the speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein dropped a political bombshell when he resigned. 

"These days our people need unity, they need a unity government. These days, when an epidemic threatens us from the outside and the rift rips us from the inside, we all have to act like humans, we must all transcend, we must all unite,” Yuli Edelstein, Knesset speaker.

Edelstein’s critics charge he refused to open the Knesset to stop legislation that would disqualify Netanyahu from becoming prime minister again in a new government. Those laws have the support of the Blue and White and the Arab Joint List – which is a majority of parliament.

As Israel’s political deadlock remains unbroken, Netanyahu rallied the nation by reminding them of the Passover story from the Bible. 

“The exodus from Egypt reminds us that our people have withstood fierce storms. This gives strength. This gives hope. We survived Pharaoh and though the battle will be hard and uncompromising, we will also survive corona, with G-d's help and with yours, citizens of Israel,” he said

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About The Author

Chris Mitchell
Chris
Mitchell

In a time where the world's attention is riveted on events in the Middle East, CBN viewers have come to appreciate Chris Mitchell's timely reports from this explosive region of the world. Chris brings a Biblical and prophetic perspective to these daily news events that shape our world. He first began reporting on the Middle East in the mid-1990s. Chris repeatedly traveled there to report on the religious and political issues facing Israel and the surrounding Arab states. One of his more significant reports focused on the emigration of persecuted Christians from the Middle East. In the past