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The Daily Edition

What Matters Most On Monday, March 16, 2020

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A stock market ticker screen in the lobby of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, in the center of Tel Aviv, March 15, 2020. (Flash90)

Live updates (closed)

Damage to Israel’s economy estimated to be $12 billion — chief economist

By Judah Ari Gross and ToI Staff

Finance Ministry’s Shira Greenberg expects GDP to fall by $6.6 billion, growth to drop 3% as a result of new measures announced by government to stop virus

10:01 pm

Transportation Ministry announces curbs on buses, trains
9:37 pm

Gaza still free of coronavirus, Hamas health ministry says
9:34 pm

Jerusalem mayor says all entry of Palestinians from West Bank should be halted

President Reuven Rivlin (R) tasks Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz with forming a government in a ceremony at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on March 16, 2020. (Mark Neyman/GPO)

Tasked by president, Gantz says he’s aiming for ‘patriotic government’ in days

In shot at Netanyahu, Blue and White chairman says he wants a unity coalition but not at expense of democratic values; vows to work for all, including settlers and Arab Israelis

Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White party, during an elections campaign event in Petah Tikva on March 13, 2019. (Gili Yaari/Flash90)

Gantz asks to meet party heads to form government, but rightist chairs refuse

President Reuven Rivlin (R) tasks Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz with forming a government in a ceremony at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on March 16, 2020. (Mark Neyman/GPO)

SpeechGantz full text: I aim to form a national, patriotic, broad government in days

Illustrative. (iStock)

Government okays mass surveillance of Israelis’ phones to curb coronavirus

By Judah Ari Gross

Measure still requires Knesset subcommittee approval before going forward; ministers say they’ve worked to limit the harm to privacy, but critics warn of civil liberty violations

Illustrative. A hearing of the Court of Justice of the European Union. (Court of Justice of the European Union)

Not because of Netanyahu: More and more countries are limiting court activities

By Raphael Ahren

A worker disinfecting the Knesset on March 15, 2020. (Adine Wolman/Knesset Spokesperson's Office)

Due to coronavirus, new Knesset to be sworn in 3 lawmakers at a time

By Raoul Wootliff

Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White party, speaks at an election campaign event in Ramat Gan on Feb 25, 2020. (Gili Yaari/Flash90)

Analysis

Haviv Rettig Gur

How the supposedly inept Benny Gantz found a strategic path (almost) to the top

He’s not prime minister yet, but the ex-army chief has defied his critics and proven his political mettle against the formidable Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu, left, Reuven Rivlin, center, and Benny Gantz, meeting in Jerusalem on March 15, 2020. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Rivlin hosts Gantz, Netanyahu to talk up emergency unity government

By Raoul Wootliff

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein at the Knesset on March 4, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

In blow to Blue and White, Knesset speaker says he’ll block vote to replace him

Women wearing protective masks visit the nearly deserted Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City on March 12, 2020, after Israel imposed some of the world's tightest restrictions to contain the new coronavirus. (Emmanuel Dunand/AFP)

Israel ups number of virus cases to 255, with 5 in serious condition

13 patients listed as moderate, while majority of those infected have light symptoms; 4 people no longer ill, Health Ministry says; IDF says 5th soldier diagnosed

Illustrative: A hospital employee wearing protection mask and gear shows a swab, a cotton wab for taking mouth specimen, used at a temporary emergency structure set up outside the accident and emergency department, where any new arrivals presenting suspect new coronavirus symptoms will be tested, at the Brescia hospital, Lombardy, on March 13, 2020. (Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

Top doctor: Coronavirus vaccine will take 18 months — rush it at your own peril

By Nathan Jeffay

Jerusalem's Nofim Tower sheltered living facility. (Courtesy)

Number of infected with virus at Jerusalem assisted living facility climbs to 6

Israelis line up outside Rami Levy supermarket in Ashdod on March 14, 2020. (Flash90)

Op-ed

Coronavirus diary: So, are we all going to die, or is this ‘unnecessary panic’?

What are we non-experts supposed to make of the conflicting assessments? And how can we distinguish between leaders’ self-serving decisions and those in the national interest?

Iconic Carmel Market in Tel Aviv on March 15, 2020. (Adam Rasgon/Times of Israel)

Israel media reviewDown with the sickness: 7 things to know for March 16

By Joshua Davidovich

Workers from a Servpro disaster recovery team wearing protective suits and respirators are given supplies as they line up before entering the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington, to begin cleaning and disinfecting the facility, March 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Israeli virologist urges world leaders to calm public, slams ‘unnecessary panic’

Morning prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, March 16, 2020. (Courtesy: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation)

Worshipers told not to kiss stones at Western Wall; attendance limited

Amid efforts to stem spread of coronavirus, Health Ministry and holy site’s rabbi agree to limit the size of gatherings and maintain ‘necessary hygiene practices’

Illustrative: Yeshiva students study at the Mir Brachfeld yeshiva in Modi'in Ilit on August 26, 2018. (Aharon Krohn/Flash90)

Ultra-Orthodox schools to remain open, with students split into groups of 10

By Jacob Magid and ToI Staff

A young man wearing a protective mask as a measure of protection against the coronavirus COVID-19, walks in front of the Dome of the Rock shrine inside the al-Aqsa compound on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, March 13, 2020. (Ahmad GHARABLI/AFP)

Palestinians close Al-Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Rock over coronavirus fears

By Agencies and ToI Staff

An ambulance carrying an Israeli man who returned from Italy and tested positive for coronavirus arrives at Tel Hashomer Hospital, February 27, 2020 (Flash 90)

Israeli doctors lament lack of protection, exposing them and patients to virus

Senior Health Ministry official blasts office for ill-preparedness; some 2,600 medical professionals in quarantine; masks, protective suits said stolen from hospitals

Illustrative: Workers inside a building at Tel Aviv's Tel Hashomer Hospital, which was converted into a coronavirus isolation unit, February 20, 2020. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Hospital department head, Health Ministry official diagnosed with coronavirus

The surgery department at Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital, in Jerusalem, September 3, 2017. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

Baby born to woman with virus in Jerusalem; mom and child separated after birth

Archaeology

Fearing the end is nigh, man returns stolen 2,000-year-old artifact to park

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

For 15 years, theft of a catapult bolt stone weighed on his mind. With the coronavirus crisis, anonymous Israeli uses go-between to restore national treasure, unburden conscience

Hananel Even Hen and Shiran Habush celebrate during thier wedding at a public park in Efrat, in Gush Etzion, March 15, 2020, after their wedding was canceled due to new regulations following the spread of the coronavirus (Gershon Elinson/Flash90)

Love will find a wayTheir weddings axed by virus, couples tie knot on rooftops, in supermarkets

From the blogs

Haviva Ner-David

Dreaming in the time of Corona

There is something absolutely stunning about the fact that all of humanity now is suffering from the same threat. This is life.

Underwear for a month: Lone soldiers and corona

As our wise, resilient children are teaching us, now is the time to see the bigger picture and put personal desire to one side

Anna Harwood-Gross

How to safeguard your mental health in the new normal

Israelis are used to stress, but the new reality, with its reduced social contact, pushes us to accommodate our strengths and weaknesses in fresh ways

It’s an epidemic that proscribes individual freedoms, spreads divisive messages and erodes the checks and balances of democracy

Erris Langer Klapper

Has COVID-19 affected our common sense?

Do you seriously think you can avoid the virus by gargling? Well, you can’t. Stick to the boring and scientifically factual websites

Illustrative photo of people smoking cigarettes. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)

Smokers appear to be at higher risk from coronavirus – expert

Dr. Yael Bar-Zeev says that while system copes with 8,000 yearly deaths from smoking, special steps needed to stop it collapsing if thousands of COVID-19 cases emerge at once

President Reuven Rivlin inaugurates the new national emergency call center jointly run by Magen David Adom (MDA) and the IDF Homefront Command in Ramle as part of the efforts to deal with the coronavirus. At right is Eli Bin, CEO of MDA and left is the IDF Homefront Command's Maj Gen Tamir Yadai. (Mark Neyman)

Rivlin takes COVID-19 test in ‘precautionary measure,’ tests negative

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference about the coronavirus in Jerusalem on March 11, 2020. (Flash90)

Netanyahu and aides undergo ‘routine’ COVID-19 test; none infected

By ToI Staff and Agencies

Nissim Naveh mans the counter at the Lechem shel Tomer in Arnona, where customers lined up to buy bread but couldn't sit to drink coffee on March 15, 2020 (Jessica Steinberg/Times of Israel)

'From minute to minute, we're trying to figure this out'

Mom-and-pop cafes and shops in Jerusalem struggle with new coronavirus reality

By Jessica Steinberg

Restaurants and cafes offer takeout options in order to get through pandemic, but have been forced to put most of their regular staff on unpaid leave

Doctor’s orders: New virus regulations turn up the heat on Tel Aviv restaurants

Solitary guides leading tours in empty museums: Jerusalem’s new tourism plan

By Nathan Jeffay

Illustrative. Soldiers of the Bardales Battalion listen to their commander during a training exercise in southern Israel, on July 13, 2016. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

IDF orders new safety measures as 3,700 troops quarantined, including a general

By Judah Ari Gross

Some soldiers to be confined to base, others to work in shifts; military to check temperatures of visitors to ‘critical facilities’

Closed shops and restaurants in Tel Aviv, March 15, 2020. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

Finance Ministry, employers said to agree on NIS 3b. aid package for businesses

Closed shops and restaurants in Tel Aviv, March 15, 2020. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

Bank of Israel, retail banks take steps to soothe virus damage to economy

Gideon Marcus poses in front of a 'Dr. Who' telephone booth. (Courtesy)

Historian and family live in groovy 1965 bubble and do the time warp, again

By Sheldon Teitelbaum

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More Headlines

Illustrative: An explosion seen near the city of Homs in Syria attributed to Israeli airstrikes on March 5, 2020 (video screen capture)

IDF indicates Iran scaling back terror activity in light of coronavirus

By Judah Ari Gross

The bridge connecting the eastern and western neighbourhoods of the Lebanese capital Beirut, known as the "Ring" and notorious for its traffic jams as well as the numerous anti-government protests that took place on it in recent months, remains deserted after measures were taken in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19, early on March 15, 2020. (PATRICK BAZ / AFP)

Lebanon announces two-week lockdown over coronavirus

By AFP

Jerusalemite Ran Yehoshua leads his street in song, with the classic Israeli song, 'Bashana Haba'a' (Courtesy Ran Yehoshua)

It will be betterStuck at home, Jerusalem neighbors join in balcony sing-a-long

By Jessica Steinberg

Palestinians bringing meals to quarantined people in Bethlehem on March 15, 2020. (Adam Rasgon/Times of Israel)

PA urges Tulkarem residents to stay home after 2nd virus case revealed in city

Am-Shalem Singson, 28, a member of the Bnei Menashe Jewish community who made aliya from Manipur, India, in 2017, is hospitalized after he was attacked on March 14, 2020, by two men. (Courtesy Shavei Israel)

Indian immigrant beaten in Tiberias in apparent coronavirus-linked hate crime

URJ Heller High students in Tel Aviv, shown dressed up in Purim costumes, are all being flown home to the U.S. (URJ Heller High/Facebook via JTA)

Chartered airlift to bring US teens home from study abroad programs in Israel

Blue and White MK Yael German attends an event in Kfar Saba, on March 8, 2019. (Flash90)

Blue and White MK Yael German retires from Knesset due to flagging health

By Stuart Winer

Former Vice President Joe Biden participates in a Democratic presidential primary debate at CNN Studios in Washington, March 15, 2020. (AP/Evan Vucci)

Biden commits to picking woman as running mate if nominated

Aya Khatib (Shin Bet)

Shin Bet says it nabbed Arab Israeli Hamas agent who posed as aid worker

Arnaldo Gonzalez of the Argentine New Chicago soccer team makes an anti-Semitic gesture mimicking a Jewish kipa after being ejected from a game against fellow team Atlanta in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 8, 2020. (Screenshot from Twitter/via JTA)

Argentine soccer player fired over anti-Semitic gesture

By JTA

A woman is evacuated from the Bataclan concert hall after a terrorist shooting attack in Paris, November 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

French judges order trial for 20 suspects in 2015 Paris terror attacks

By AFP

Illustrative: Australian Federal Police officers detain a suspect a counterterrorism raid in Sydney, September 18, 2014. (AFP/Australian Federal Police)

Suspected neo-Nazi charged with terrorism in Australia

By AFP

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February	March 2020					April
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