Israel medics begin vaccinating Palestinians with permits to work in Israel

Around 400 Palestinians — residents of East Jerusalem and Palestinians who work in Israel — were vaccinated against coronavirus today at a Magen David Adom station near the Qalandiya checkpoint, a Magen David Adom spokesperson tells The Times of Israel.

“Palestinians can come and be vaccinated, including those who have Palestinian Authority identity cards and work permits,” the spokesperson says.

The station will only be open until the end of today, the spokesperson says.

Today’s vaccines are the first official step to immunize Palestinians who work in Israel.

Around 120,000 Palestinians work legally in Israel or in Israeli settlements, according to Israeli government statistics. The constant movement of Palestinian workers back and forth across the Green Line has sparked concerns from both Israeli and Palestinian health officials that they could import fresh coronavirus cases to their areas. A union of construction companies appealed to the Health Ministry yesterday to provide vaccines for its employees.