Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett chairs the weekly Cabinet meeting. Photo: Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Israeli officials announced that citizens will be legally required to present vaccination certificates to attend many social events across the country.
Why it matters: Israel has fully vaccinated 58% of its population, but Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the country needs to safeguard public health and maintain the Israeli economy by implementing the vaccination certification.
- The requirement comes as other nations around the world, including Italy and France, have mandated similar certification processes in which residents and visitors must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
The big picture: Beginning Aug. 8, people will have to show proof of vaccination or provide negative COVID-19 tests to attend events and enter public places such as movie theaters, synagogues, amusement parks, sports games or activities with more than 100 people.
What he's saying: "Those who refuse vaccines hurt us all because if all of us were vaccinated, we would all be able to maintain daily life," Bennett said. "But if 1 million Israelis continue to not get vaccinated, this will oblige the 8 million others to shut themselves in their homes."