Prime Minister Netanyahu is reaching out to associates of new coronavirus czar Ronni Gamzu in a bid to press him to adopt the premier’s own preference for lockdowns and other far-reaching restrictions, Channel 12 news reports.
According to the unsourced report, Netanyahu is concerned Gamzu’s stance toward the pandemic could lead to apathy among the public and he’s, therefore, seeking to pressure him to support stricter limitations.
Since taking up his post, Gamzu has pledged to end “illogical” restrictions and expressed opposition to lockdown measures, warning of their health, economic and social costs.
The network also reports that Netanyahu has reached out to former finance minister Moshe Kahlon about overseeing the economic aspects of Israel’s response to the virus.
Quoting an unnamed source familiar with Netanyahu’s proposal to Kahlon, the report says the prime minister’s offer is an effective vote of no confidence in Finance Minister Israel Katz.
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