Prof. Ran Balicer says current spike reflects waning immunity, a new variant and summer AC use — but widespread unreported home testing means we don't know yet how severe it'll be

Premier reportedly not planning a sweeping ban on international travel, is aiming to turn schools into environment that encourages vaccination

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'

Report says protection against serious COVID-19 illness fell to 80%, or 50% for over-60s; government adviser, physician and health statistics expert all criticize research

But Ran Balicer, chair of Israel's national expert panel on COVID-19, stresses it is 'too early to precisely assess vaccine effectiveness against the variant'

‘If we weren’t so well-vaccinated, lockdown would be looming,' says top government adviser; doctors breathe sigh of relief, but worries linger about 'weak spot' in COVID fight

40% of cases in past month said to come from abroad, amid Delta variant fears; Binyamina designated 'yellow' town; but professionals say Israel likely protected from serious wave

Members of Health Ministry team dealing with pandemic question motives behind move; deputy health minister rejects concerns, says recommendation properly considered

Clalit survey of 1.2 million Israelis, half of them immunized, finds that shots drive down symptomatic COVID by 94%

Prof. Nachman Ash says he believes country will hit targets for next stage of emergence from lockdown, asks businesses to 'hang on, it's just around the corner'