Degel Hatorah MK Yitzchak Pindrus, arrived at Shaare Tzedek Hospital in Yerushalayim on Sunday, in order to take the COVID-19 vaccine, but prior to getting vaccinated, Pindrus spoke with Hagaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky about the vaccine, and whether or not a person should take it. Pindrus asked HaRav Kanievsky whether it is ‘permissible’ to take the vaccine or whether a person is ‘obligated; to take the vaccine? HaRav Chaim answered that it’s a Chiyuv of “Hishtadlus” to take the vaccine, and not “an option”. Pindrus then asked HaRav Chaim about the fear some people have regarding what unknown damage that it can cause in the future.

Dr Vladimir (Zev) Zelenko has released a video on Sunday. In the opening of the video Zelenko says “This video is the most important video I have ever made, and probably the most important video you’ll ever hear”. Zelenko released his video as YWN reports the breaking news of a new COVID mutation confirmed in the U.K. The fast-moving new variant of the virus is 70% more transmissible than existing strains appears to be driving the rapid spread of new infections in London and southern England. The news prompted Israel and other countries to ban all flights arriving from the U.K. Flights from other countries were expected to be banned from entering Israel.

Israel and European countries banned flights from the UK on Sunday as the UK warns that a new coronavirus mutation is “out of control.” Israel, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Italy have banned flights from the UK and Germany is considering the same move for flights from the UK and South Africa, where another virus mutation has been discovered. UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that the new coronavirus variant is “deadly serious.” The Netherlands banned flights from the U.K. for at least the rest of the year while Belgium issued a flight ban for 24 hours starting at midnight and also halted train links to Britain, including the Eurostar. German officials were considering “serious options” regarding incoming flights from the U.K., but have not yet taken action.

The following information is via the Chaim V’Chessed Organization: On November 20th, Chaim V’Chessed issued a travel advisory, recommending that foreigners living in Israel carefully weigh potential plans for travel out of Israel. Today, those concerns have become stark reality. At this hour, there is extreme uncertainty for all travelers – foreign and Israeli alike – regarding travel to Israel. As we reported earlier today, Israeli authorities have immediately halted entry to all foreigners from the following countries: United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, South Africa and Brazil. Included are those abroad who have already received entry permits.

The IDF is investigating the actions of a Golani combat soldier who was attacked by a masked assailant that threw a firebomb at him near the town of Kedumim, Samaria. The incident took place just after Shabbos ended, close to 6:00PM. The masked man, who is assumed to be a Palestinian, arrived at the entrance to the town by car, got out of his vehicle, crossed the street and stood in front of the soldier who was on duty guarding the intersection. In a security video, the man is seen taking out a Molotov cocktail, lighting it, throwing it at the soldier, getting back in his car and driving off. The soldier managed to dodge the firebomb and did nothing else in response. The IDF, said that they are investigating to determine whether his actions were appropriate or not.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu‏‏ and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein received the first coronavirus vaccines in Israel on Motzei Shabbos. The historical moment, broadcast live in order to encourage Israelis to be vaccinated, took place at Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer. “This is a great day for the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said. “I requested to be vaccinated first in order to serve as a personal example.” About 50 medical employees at Sheba were also vaccinated on Motzei Shabbos. President Reuven Rivlin will be vaccinated at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem on Sunday and coronavirus czar Prof. Nachman Ash will be vaccinated at a Maccabi health clinic in Hertzliya. Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz will also be vaccinated on Sunday.

Hagaon HaRav Yitzhak Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel traveled to Dubai on Thursday in the first-ever visit by a sitting chief rabbi to an Arab country. He is scheduled to remain in the United Arab Emirates until Sunday. During his visit, HaRav Yosef plans to attend a ceremony building a mikvah and dedicate a new Shul in Abu Dhabi. He will also meet with senior Emirati officials, and inaugurate a newly certified Jewish (children’s) school On Friday HaRav Yosef visited the first Kosher restaurant of the UAE at the Armani in the Burj Khalifa. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Chevra Hatzalah, the largest volunteer ambulance corps in the United States, is pleased to announce the hiring of Rabbi Yehiel Kalish, as CEO. The Board’s choice follows a comprehensive, nationwide search that attracted significant interest from a diverse pool of impressive candidates. Rabbi Kalish brings twelve years’ experience as Vice President for Development and State Regulations at Agudath Israel of America. Following his tenure at Agudath Israel, he was the CEO of the S4 Group, a highly successful government and business consulting firm. The last two years he has served as a member of the General Assembly for the 16th District of the State of Illinois. “Our search for CEO focused on two key priorities,” says Mr. Isaac Stern, Member of the Executive Board.

Vice President Mike Pence was vaccinated for COVID-19 on Friday in a live-television event aimed at reassuring Americans the vaccine is safe. In remarks after his shot, Pence called the speed with which the vaccine was developed “a medical miracle.” “The American people can be confident: we have one and perhaps within hours two” safe vaccines,” Pence said, referring to expected FDA approval for Moderna’s vaccine. Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine was the first to be approved. “Building confidence in the vaccine is what brings us here this morning,” he added. Pence’s wife Karen and Surgeon General Jerome Adams also received shots during the televised White House event in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Following an in-depth investigation, the prosecutor has filed their statement with regard to a shooting that took place in Rishon Letzion two months ago. The shooting was perpetrated in the direction of a woman and two Chareidi suspects from Bnei Brak were arrested. The suspects have been remanded into custody until Monday. The incident took place on October 29th, when a masked individual approached a woman who was walking on HaNevi’im Street in the city and attempted to shoot towards her with a pistol from close range. For some unknown reason, the gun jammed and would not shoot. The suspect, seeing this, fled the scene and ran into a waiting car that was being driven also by a masked individual. The pair of assailants fled the scene.