Israel Shield
Israel Shield (Hebrew: מגן ישראל) is Israel's national program to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, it is led by a "COVID czar," a position that, since June 2021, is held by Salman Zarka.[https://www.timesofisrael.com/virus-czar-calls-to-begin-readying-for-eventual-4th-vaccine-dose/ "Virus czar calls to begin readying for eventual 4th vaccine dose."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906140159/https://www.timesofisrael.com/virus-czar-calls-to-begin-readying-for-eventual-4th-vaccine-dose/ |date=2021-09-06 }} The Times of Israel, September 5, 2021.[https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-s-covid-czar-to-travel-to-ukraine-to-oversee-uman-pilgrimage-1.10181763 "Israel's COVID Czar to Travel to Ukraine to Oversee Uman Pilgrimage".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905080009/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-s-covid-czar-to-travel-to-ukraine-to-oversee-uman-pilgrimage-1.10181763 |date=2021-09-05 }} Haaretz, September 5, 2021. The institution of the program coincided with the absorption of the March 2020 {{ill|Emergency directives to fight the Coronavirus|he|תקנות שעת חירום למאבק בנגיף הקורונה}} into the July 2020 {{ill|Special powers to deal with the new Coronavirus|he|חוק סמכויות מיוחדות להתמודדות עם נגיף הקורונה החדש}} legislation (also known informally as the "Great Coronavirus Law").[https://www.davar1.co.il/226686/ The government proposes 'special powers to deal with the new Coronavirus' legislation"] (Hebrew). Davar, May 31, 2020.
The COVID czar
Subordinate to the Minister of Health and to the ministry's director, the COVID czar still directly consults with the Prime Minister. The COVID czar's recommendations generally receive wide publicity in the press. All three COVID czars had been doctors who had previously held prominent public health roles.
In June 2021, the current COVID czar, Salman Zarka, was appointed by the Minister of Health, Nitzan Horowitz, replacing Nachman Ash, with the latter becoming the ministry's director.[https://www.timesofisrael.com/coronavirus-czar-nachman-ash-named-as-new-health-ministry-director-general/ "Coronavirus czar Nachman Ash named as new Health Ministry director-general."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714143715/https://www.timesofisrael.com/coronavirus-czar-nachman-ash-named-as-new-health-ministry-director-general/ |date=2021-07-14 }} The Times of Israel, June 28, 2021. In November 2020, Ash, himself, had replaced the first COVID czar, Ronni Gamzu, who was originally appointed to the position in July of that year.[https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-israel-archive-public-health-eee3bce4190c9f201978a0e1c5a15d94 "AP Interview: Israeli virus czar fights outbreak, politics."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004110811/https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-israel-archive-public-health-eee3bce4190c9f201978a0e1c5a15d94 |date=2020-10-04 }} Associated Press, September 25, 2020.
The COVID czar is not a member of the {{ill|Coronavirus Cabinet|he|קבינט הקורונה}}, unlike the Minister of Health and ministry's director who are permanent members.[https://www.gov.il/he/departments/publicbodies/corona_kor The Coronavirus Cabinet on the website of Prime Minister's Office] (last updated June 2021).
References
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