Israeli schools

Defense Minister Benny Gantz, left, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a vote at the Knesset, in Jerusalem on August 24, 2020. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)

November 24, 2020, 11:15 am

‘This is going nowhere’: Gantz, Netanyahu shout at each other at cabinet meeting

In latest manifestation of coalition crisis, debate over pandemic response said to devolve into recriminations; Likud minister says he expects Knesset to be dissolved in December

By Michael Bachner

A classroom at an elementary school in Tel Aviv is empty after Israel closed schools ahead of a nationwide lockdown to halt the spread of the coronavirus, September 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

November 16, 2020, 8:25 pm

More schoolkids to resume studies, strip malls to reopen in low-infection areas

Virus cabinet also approves lockdowns and curfews in medium- to high-infection areas; grades 5-6 go back to school next week, grades 11-12 on December 1

By TOI staff

People shop in Jerusalem on November 12, 2020 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

November 15, 2020, 10:31 am

Ministers to meet on lockdown rollbacks amid concerns pandemic spreading again

Positive infection rate rises to 2.3% despite lower weekend testing; Health Ministry director-general confirms outbreak is growing with rate of infection per person now at 1.0

By TOI staff

People walk next to closed shops in downtown Jerusalem on September 30, 2020 (Nati Shohat/Flash90)

October 28, 2020, 9:45 pm

Finance and health ministers at loggerheads over reopening of stores

Katz and Edelstein spar over lockdown exit strategy as positive virus tests hit lowest rate since beginning of pandemic second wave in June

By TOI staff

Education Minister Yoav Gallant visits schoolchildren on the first day of the school year in Mevo Horon, September 1, 2020. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool/AFP)

October 28, 2020, 5:27 pm

Under fire for back-to-school plan, education chief pushes 4-day week instead

Ministry proposal will shave a day off school for students in third and fourth grade, but solve problems surrounding opening for younger grades

By TOI staff

The Knesset Education Culture and Sports Committee convenes in Jerusalem on October 28, 2020. (Ronit Gal/Knesset)

October 28, 2020, 1:46 pm

Knesset rejects ‘illogical’ outdoor studies plan, causing PM to reconsider

Education Committee unanimously shoots down proposal to only allow groups of 15 for grades 5-12 with 100-meter distance between groups, saying it’s too stringent

By TOI staff

People on Jaffa Street in downtown Jerusalem on October 26, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

October 28, 2020, 8:34 am

COVID-19 infections continue to drop, but daily deaths still high

As Israel gears up to reopen elementary schools in next phase of easing lockdown, Health Ministry reports 844 cases throughout Tuesday, 43 fatalities in 24 hours

By TOI staff

A young girl is tested for the coronavirus by a healthcare worker at a COVID-19 testing center set up at a basketball court, in Ramat Gan, October 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

October 27, 2020, 9:09 am

Percentage of positive COVID tests the lowest since June; serious cases drop

Jerusalem hospital closes two virus wards as patient numbers fall; 780 new cases Monday; deputy health minister: Israel has yet to see effects of reopening preschools, daycares

By TOI staff

An empty classroom at a school in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hakerem on October 21, 2020. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

October 26, 2020, 10:47 pm

Cabinet decides grades 1-4 to go back to school Sunday, salons to reopen

Students will be divided into separate pods; after-school programs also to resume; businesses that receive customers on one-by-one basis allowed to reopen

By TOI staff

October 25, 2020, 11:03 am

Ministers set for key meeting on reopening schools, some businesses

After ending Wednesday discussion undecided, coronavirus cabinet to debate plans for resuming classes for grades 1-4 next week, reopening workplaces that serve customers in person

By TOI staff

Illustrative: A child receives a vaccination shot (Shutterstock/JTA)

October 24, 2020, 7:26 pm

Israeli company’s bid for universal flu vaccine fails in clinical trails

Attempt at inoculation by BiondVax falls through, as worries spread of potentially harsh flu season creating mayhem due to symptoms being similar to those of COVID-19

By TOI staff

Coronavirus czar Ronni Gamzu at a meeting of the Knesset's Labor and Welfare Committee, in Jerusalem, October 19, 2020. (Shmulik Grossman/Knesset)

October 19, 2020, 3:07 pm

As new cases fall, Gamzu pleads to hold off on reopening schools

Coronavirus czar also tells Knesset committee that Israel will soon shorten quarantine period from 14 to 12 days, says hospitals staying strong: ‘We’ll never be Italy’

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset on March 26, 2020. (Knesset)

October 16, 2020, 6:09 am

The Knesset winter session is off to a running start. On a treadmill

While politicians tussle and pontificate, their failure to pass a budget and appoint top officials leaves government agencies unable to tackle the worst fallout of the pandemic

By Haviv Rettig Gur

A girl heading to school during the pandemic (FamVeld via iStock by Getty Images)

October 4, 2020, 6:41 pm

Rush young kids back to school, they’re the most virus-proof citizens — experts

Children under 10 should head back to class the moment lockdown ends, says panel, but middle schools and high schools should stay shut ‘for a very long time’

By Nathan Jeffay

Illustration of an empty classroom in a school in Mevaseret Zion, August 27, 2019. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

September 16, 2020, 9:38 am

Schools to close a day early as over 5,500 virus cases confirmed in 24 hours

New record in daily confirmed patients comes two days before nationwide lockdown set to begin

By TOI staff