Deputy health minister says Hanukkah curfew being planned

Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch tells Channel 12 news that Israel will impose a national curfew to stem family visits over Hanukkah and Christmas.

“We will impose a nighttime curfew over the December holidays to reduce gatherings and control infections,” he says.

The comments may be more aspirational than forward-looking. A final decision on any restrictions must be made by the cabinet, and many ministers may be wary of crimping people’s holiday plans, especially with early elections likely on the horizon. Ministers have in the past rejected Health Ministry proposals for lockdowns and other restrictions.

Kisch’s announcement comes hours after coronavirus czar Nachman Ash said Israel was in a “state of emergency,” reacting to virus numbers that have begun to climb again after falling off in October and much of November.