Israel’s PM Bennett urges parents: Protect your kids, 5th COVID wave is here

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Sunday that the highly infectious Omicron variant is driving Israel’s fifth wave of coronavirus infections, and urged the public to preempt an expected surge in morbidity by vaccinating children and curbing gatherings, including working from home if possible.

At a live press briefing from his office in Jerusalem timed for the start of Israel’s prime-time television news broadcasts, Bennett said the government is doing everything to buy the country time before the Omicron variant becomes widespread.

“Vaccines for children are safe, and they are the responsibility of parents,” he said. “Don’t leave your children vulnerable to Omicron.”