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Netanyahu’s Bold Moves: Fighting a Virus or Risking Democracy? Netanyahu’s Bold Moves: Fighting a Virus or Risking Democracy?
(2 months later)
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was supposed to be facing trial this week on bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges.JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was supposed to be facing trial this week on bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges.
Instead, he was shutting down the courts and ordering Israel’s internal security service to identify people who should be quarantined using data harvested from their phones.Instead, he was shutting down the courts and ordering Israel’s internal security service to identify people who should be quarantined using data harvested from their phones.
Both of those extraordinary moves, announced in the dead of night on Sunday and Tuesday, were made in the name of combating the coronavirus. The court shutdown also had the effect of delaying Mr. Netanyahu’s corruption trial by two months.Both of those extraordinary moves, announced in the dead of night on Sunday and Tuesday, were made in the name of combating the coronavirus. The court shutdown also had the effect of delaying Mr. Netanyahu’s corruption trial by two months.
Many Israelis have expressed admiration for the celerity and aggressiveness of Mr. Netanyahu’s response to the pandemic: Israel was ahead of the curve in shutting down travel to hot spots, ordering new arrivals into quarantine and closing down the public schools.Many Israelis have expressed admiration for the celerity and aggressiveness of Mr. Netanyahu’s response to the pandemic: Israel was ahead of the curve in shutting down travel to hot spots, ordering new arrivals into quarantine and closing down the public schools.
But others are asking whether Mr. Netanyahu, who is battling to keep his job after three inconclusive elections, is exploiting the health crisis for self-serving ends. And whether, as he moves to protect the nation’s health, he may also be endangering its democracy.But others are asking whether Mr. Netanyahu, who is battling to keep his job after three inconclusive elections, is exploiting the health crisis for self-serving ends. And whether, as he moves to protect the nation’s health, he may also be endangering its democracy.
Mr. Netanyahu insisted that he was protecting the nation while adhering to democratic values, noting that the court shutdown was temporary and that he had received the permission of the attorney general for the cellphone data usage, which was valid for 14 days.Mr. Netanyahu insisted that he was protecting the nation while adhering to democratic values, noting that the court shutdown was temporary and that he had received the permission of the attorney general for the cellphone data usage, which was valid for 14 days.
“Israel is a democracy,” he said Monday. “We have to maintain the balance between the rights of the individual and needs of general society, and we are doing that.”“Israel is a democracy,” he said Monday. “We have to maintain the balance between the rights of the individual and needs of general society, and we are doing that.”
But critics questioned whether closing the courts was a necessary response to the coronavirus and whether the infringements on privacy by monitoring cellphones could have long-term consequences.But critics questioned whether closing the courts was a necessary response to the coronavirus and whether the infringements on privacy by monitoring cellphones could have long-term consequences.
“Democracies don’t die in one day,” said Susie Navot, a professor of parliamentary and constitutional law at the Striks School of Law, in Rishon Letzion, Israel. “As you see in Europe, they can decline or erode, bit by bit, and you don’t really feel it.”“Democracies don’t die in one day,” said Susie Navot, a professor of parliamentary and constitutional law at the Striks School of Law, in Rishon Letzion, Israel. “As you see in Europe, they can decline or erode, bit by bit, and you don’t really feel it.”
“It’s like a smoke bomb,” she said. “You don’t see very clearly, and then things change quickly, without you taking notice.”“It’s like a smoke bomb,” she said. “You don’t see very clearly, and then things change quickly, without you taking notice.”
All over, democratic nations are struggling to act quickly enough to contend with the fast-moving biological threat. Israel is blessed with some important advantages over places that have responded more haltingly.All over, democratic nations are struggling to act quickly enough to contend with the fast-moving biological threat. Israel is blessed with some important advantages over places that have responded more haltingly.
Its people have a history of improvising, rallying and uniting in times of crisis, and are used to defending against threats that hit close to home. The government enjoys expansive emergency powers, dating back to the British Mandate, that allow it to do pretty much anything it deems necessary.Its people have a history of improvising, rallying and uniting in times of crisis, and are used to defending against threats that hit close to home. The government enjoys expansive emergency powers, dating back to the British Mandate, that allow it to do pretty much anything it deems necessary.
Its Internal Security Agency possesses a huge database, The New York Times reported Monday, of records from cellphone companies, dating back to 2002, allowing almost any individual’s footsteps to be retraced. And the agency, known by its Hebrew acronym as the Shin Bet, enjoys the confidence of the public that it will act in the best interests of the people and of democracy.Its Internal Security Agency possesses a huge database, The New York Times reported Monday, of records from cellphone companies, dating back to 2002, allowing almost any individual’s footsteps to be retraced. And the agency, known by its Hebrew acronym as the Shin Bet, enjoys the confidence of the public that it will act in the best interests of the people and of democracy.
That sets Israel apart from countries whose secret police have sinister histories as agents of repression, and even from the United States, where Edward Snowden’s revelations that the government was collecting Americans’ bulk cellphone data led to the practice being outlawed.That sets Israel apart from countries whose secret police have sinister histories as agents of repression, and even from the United States, where Edward Snowden’s revelations that the government was collecting Americans’ bulk cellphone data led to the practice being outlawed.
Israelis trust the Shin Bet to protect them and not to abuse that trust, said Yohanan Plesner, the president of the Israel Democracy Institute. “If the Shin Bet is to infringe on our basic privacy, they could have done it many years ago,” he said.Israelis trust the Shin Bet to protect them and not to abuse that trust, said Yohanan Plesner, the president of the Israel Democracy Institute. “If the Shin Bet is to infringe on our basic privacy, they could have done it many years ago,” he said.
Medical professionals were generally supportive of the use of the technology.Medical professionals were generally supportive of the use of the technology.
Ran Sa’ar, the chief executive of Maccabi Health, Israel’s second-largest health fund, praised it, citing the Talmudic teaching that saving a life overrides the laws of the Sabbath. In extreme circumstances, he said, that principle “trumps all things sacred, including people’s privacy.”Ran Sa’ar, the chief executive of Maccabi Health, Israel’s second-largest health fund, praised it, citing the Talmudic teaching that saving a life overrides the laws of the Sabbath. In extreme circumstances, he said, that principle “trumps all things sacred, including people’s privacy.”
The United States was reported to be considering a similar plan on Tuesday. Government officials were talking with Facebook, Google and other tech companies, The Washington Post reported, about using cellphone data to track whether people are keeping at safe distances from one another.The United States was reported to be considering a similar plan on Tuesday. Government officials were talking with Facebook, Google and other tech companies, The Washington Post reported, about using cellphone data to track whether people are keeping at safe distances from one another.
But Professor Nadav Davidovich, the head of the public health school at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, said the government was making a risky bet on a fix that might not live up to its billing, when it should focus on testing for the virus.But Professor Nadav Davidovich, the head of the public health school at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, said the government was making a risky bet on a fix that might not live up to its billing, when it should focus on testing for the virus.
“It’s very tempting to go to some quick technological solution that looks very high-techy, instead of investing in other areas that are more important, considering the price of losing the trust of the people,” he said.“It’s very tempting to go to some quick technological solution that looks very high-techy, instead of investing in other areas that are more important, considering the price of losing the trust of the people,” he said.
Mr. Netanyahu’s main political rival, Benny Gantz, a former army chief heading the centrist Blue and White party, did not object to using the database but to Mr. Netanyahu’s reliance on emergency regulations to order it instead of waiting for parliamentary approval.Mr. Netanyahu’s main political rival, Benny Gantz, a former army chief heading the centrist Blue and White party, did not object to using the database but to Mr. Netanyahu’s reliance on emergency regulations to order it instead of waiting for parliamentary approval.
“These are exceptional times that, unfortunately, call for exceptional measures in order to save lives,” Mr. Gantz said Tuesday. “That said, we cannot surrender transparency and oversight.”“These are exceptional times that, unfortunately, call for exceptional measures in order to save lives,” Mr. Gantz said Tuesday. “That said, we cannot surrender transparency and oversight.”
Civil rights groups and the Joint List of predominantly Arab parties, the third-largest slate in Parliament, said they would petition the Supreme Court to overturn the government decision on privacy grounds.Civil rights groups and the Joint List of predominantly Arab parties, the third-largest slate in Parliament, said they would petition the Supreme Court to overturn the government decision on privacy grounds.
Mr. Netanyahu responded to his critics by warning that “a delay of even one hour in employing these digital tools could lead to the death of very many Israelis, just as is happening in Italy and other places in the world where thousands are dying.”Mr. Netanyahu responded to his critics by warning that “a delay of even one hour in employing these digital tools could lead to the death of very many Israelis, just as is happening in Italy and other places in the world where thousands are dying.”
Practical questions remain about the workability of using the Shin Bet’s data to track down and quarantine people whose cellphone records indicate that they were near someone carrying the virus.Practical questions remain about the workability of using the Shin Bet’s data to track down and quarantine people whose cellphone records indicate that they were near someone carrying the virus.
The agency has said nothing that would give away its secrets, but experts warn that data taken from cellular towers lacks precision and could force many people into quarantine who did not come close enough to people carrying the virus for them to be infected.The agency has said nothing that would give away its secrets, but experts warn that data taken from cellular towers lacks precision and could force many people into quarantine who did not come close enough to people carrying the virus for them to be infected.
Officials insist that the agency’s help will, at any rate, retrace virus carriers’ footsteps more comprehensively than is possible through interviews that rely on memory and candor.Officials insist that the agency’s help will, at any rate, retrace virus carriers’ footsteps more comprehensively than is possible through interviews that rely on memory and candor.
Updated May 28, 2020
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe should be sufficient grounds for testing.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
The Shin Bet chief, Nadav Argaman, said in a rare statement on Tuesday that it was responding to a request from professionals at the Ministry of Health and would use its capabilities solely to save lives. The attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, also pledged that the powers would be used sparingly.The Shin Bet chief, Nadav Argaman, said in a rare statement on Tuesday that it was responding to a request from professionals at the Ministry of Health and would use its capabilities solely to save lives. The attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, also pledged that the powers would be used sparingly.
Those concerns aside, in the eyes of his critics, Mr. Netanyahu’s legal and political predicament colors every move he makes and raises questions about his motives.Those concerns aside, in the eyes of his critics, Mr. Netanyahu’s legal and political predicament colors every move he makes and raises questions about his motives.
He was narrowly defeated in elections on March 2 by lawmakers seeking his ouster. Their leader, Mr. Gantz, was entrusted on Monday with the task of forming a government.He was narrowly defeated in elections on March 2 by lawmakers seeking his ouster. Their leader, Mr. Gantz, was entrusted on Monday with the task of forming a government.
But Mr. Netanyahu, who leads a caretaker government until a new one is formed, is doing his utmost to prevent him. His critics accuse him of exploiting the current political vacuum under the cover of the epidemic to concentrate power in his own hands.But Mr. Netanyahu, who leads a caretaker government until a new one is formed, is doing his utmost to prevent him. His critics accuse him of exploiting the current political vacuum under the cover of the epidemic to concentrate power in his own hands.
“Since he has no majority in the Parliament, he has closed the Parliament,” Yair Lapid, the No. 2 in Blue and White, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. “Since he should have stood trial, he has closed the court. The unelected government of Israel told us today that other than it, there are no more authorities.”“Since he has no majority in the Parliament, he has closed the Parliament,” Yair Lapid, the No. 2 in Blue and White, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. “Since he should have stood trial, he has closed the court. The unelected government of Israel told us today that other than it, there are no more authorities.”
Mr. Netanyahu had already attacked other democratic institutions. Battling to stay out of court and to rally his base, he has assailed the judiciary and the news media, eroding trust in those institutions.Mr. Netanyahu had already attacked other democratic institutions. Battling to stay out of court and to rally his base, he has assailed the judiciary and the news media, eroding trust in those institutions.
Now, with the country split between a left and center that deeply distrust Mr. Netanyahu and a right wing with little faith in the media or the courts, Israeli democracy is being stretched toward the breaking point.Now, with the country split between a left and center that deeply distrust Mr. Netanyahu and a right wing with little faith in the media or the courts, Israeli democracy is being stretched toward the breaking point.
“We are heading into a constitutional crisis,” said Shlomo Avineri, professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University, adding that Israel was now being run by a “very presidential-like government.”“We are heading into a constitutional crisis,” said Shlomo Avineri, professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University, adding that Israel was now being run by a “very presidential-like government.”
Mr. Netanyahu has, on top of all else, appeared nightly on television to dole out health advice and increasingly stringent instructions in a “father of the nation” role that Mr. Avineri said had clearly bolstered his status.Mr. Netanyahu has, on top of all else, appeared nightly on television to dole out health advice and increasingly stringent instructions in a “father of the nation” role that Mr. Avineri said had clearly bolstered his status.
“Crisis either brings down rulers or strengthens them,” Mr. Avineri said. For now, he said, “It has strengthened Netanyahu, because the agenda is about the coronavirus, and not his trial for corruption.”“Crisis either brings down rulers or strengthens them,” Mr. Avineri said. For now, he said, “It has strengthened Netanyahu, because the agenda is about the coronavirus, and not his trial for corruption.”
Ronen Bergman contributed reporting from Tel Aviv.Ronen Bergman contributed reporting from Tel Aviv.