Israel and Palestinian Authority Cooperate Against Coronavirus

(Patria) – Israel and the Palestinian Authority have established a joint operations room to combat the coronavirus, spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority Ibrahim Milhem reported on Tuesday evening.

– Our shared borders and relations require strict measures and the highest level of cooperation to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Milhem explained.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed this move but declined to reveal further details.

This development did not surprise the Palestinian side, as cooperation was established as early as the emergence of the first coronavirus case at the beginning of the month.

The number of infected cases in the Palestinian territories is 44, with the highest number in Bethlehem, which led to a curfew being imposed there.

Israel provided the Palestinian Ministry of Health with 200 coronavirus testing kits. Tests conducted by Palestinians are sent for analysis to a hospital in Israel.

Cooperation with Israel is always a sensitive issue for Palestinians, writes the Jerusalem Post. The Palestinian Authority has been heavily criticized for security cooperation with Israel, as well as for promoting the normalization of relations.

However, criticism has been absent regarding cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus.

– Whoever opposes cooperation with Israel in the health sector opposes the interests of our people, said a Palestinian Authority official. 'It is time to put differences aside and fight together against a pandemic that does not distinguish between Jews and Arabs,' the official emphasized.

Israeli Major Yotam Shefer, head of the Civil Administration's International Relations Department, said on Wednesday that over the past three weeks, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Health, has provided necessary assistance to Palestinians in the context of combating the coronavirus.

– 400 medical kits enabling virus monitoring and 500 protective equipment kits for Palestinian medical staff and security forces have been delivered, Shefer claims. 'Joint medical training and workshops have been organized for Israeli and Palestinian staff, where they acquired knowledge about the virus and how to combat the infection,' Shefer reported.

Due to the spread of the virus, the West Bank and Gaza have been closed, with passage allowed only for cases requiring transfer to Israeli hospitals, as well as for Palestinian medical personnel.

Shefer also stated that cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority occurs in multiple fields, including civilian and security.

– In this case, we are talking about health, and that is our supreme priority. Our cooperation with the Palestinian Authority is very close and very strong. We are working together because we understand that ultimately this virus knows no borders and does not distinguish between Israelis and Palestinians or others. We intend to continue this cooperation and coordination, emphasizes Israeli Major Yotam Shefer, reports the Jerusalem Post.