While stressing it's his personal opinion, Zarka says nation should weigh legislation compelling citizens to get virus shots, as some European nations are mulling

Ran Balicer suggests government will set high bar before skies open, while head of travel agency says industry in tatters and Israel 'lost whatever goodwill we had from tourists'

Both cases are of medical staff at Sheba hospital, with 1 of them recently returning from London conference; 34 Israelis also suspected to have been infected with new variant

Dutch health institute announces that it detected mutated coronavirus strain in samples taken before South Africa alerted WHO about new variant; cases also found in Japan, France

Raz Nizri tells Knesset panel that while tool shouldn't be used on civilians, 'every rule has an exception'; ministers advance law letting program go on past Thursday

Expert says within 2-3 weeks South African hospitals will feel pressure of infectious COVID-19 variant; health minister urges against 'panic'

At virtual global summit, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the emergence of the new COVID variant shows how 'perilous and precarious our situation is'

Global health organization says some mutations 'may be associated with immune escape potential and higher transmissibility,' but notes uncertainties remain

As new restrictions take effect, all Israelis returning to country are now required to immediately enter quarantine until confirmed virus-free by twin PCR tests

Nitzan Horowitz justifies his backing of controversial Shin Bet tracking for those infected, says use will be carefully monitored; Israel confirms its 2nd Omicron case