As Israel continues to vaccinate its citizens at a rapid pace, US Senator Bernie Sanders hit out at the Israeli government asserting that Palestinians are still waiting for the vaccines.

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As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for the health of all the people under its control. It is outrageous that Netanyahu would use spare vaccines to reward his foreign allies while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting. <a href="https://t.co/kx4qFPtRQl">https://t.co/kx4qFPtRQl</a>
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenSanders/status/1364705129312776193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for the health of all the people under its control. It is outrageous that Netanyahu would use spare vaccines to reward his foreign allies while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting," Bernie Sanders said.

Israel has already vaccinated over a third of its population ensuring Pfizer-BioNTech jabs for 3.2 million people ever since its inoculation drive began in December. The authorities however remain cautions as they imposed curfew for the Jewish holiday of Purim disallowing late-night parties as a precaution after last year's festivities became a COVID-19 super-spreaders.

Israel has been gradually reopening its economy after a third lockdown amid a surge in cases late last year, however, the rapid pace of vaccination has allowed authorities to turn the tide on the pandemic.

Israel had earlier reportedly sent vaccine doses to the occupied West Bank to inoculate Palestinian Authority medical workers.

However, the country's justice department said plans to distribute surplus coronavirus vaccines has been halted. &nbsp;

Netanyahu had said earlier that his government will be sending "limited quantity" of vaccines to the Palestinians and to several allies, however, the justice ministry later said that &nbsp;"the attorney general was examining the claim that vaccines were transferred to foreign countries without authority."

As Israel continues to vaccinate its citizens at a rapid pace, US Senator Bernie Sanders hit out at the Israeli government asserting that Palestinians are still waiting for the vaccines.

As Israel continues to vaccinate its citizens at a rapid pace, US Senator Bernie Sanders hit out at the Israeli government asserting that Palestinians are still waiting for the vaccines. As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for the health of all the people under its control. It is outrageous that Netanyahu would use spare vaccines to reward his foreign allies while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting. https://t.co/kx4qFPtRQl — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 24, 2021 × "As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for the health of all the people under its control. It is outrageous that Netanyahu would use spare vaccines to reward his foreign allies while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting," Bernie Sanders said. Israel has already vaccinated over a third of its population ensuring Pfizer-BioNTech jabs for 3.2 million people ever since its inoculation drive began in December. The authorities however remain cautions as they imposed curfew for the Jewish holiday of Purim disallowing late-night parties as a precaution after last year's festivities became a COVID-19 super-spreaders. Israel has been gradually reopening its economy after a third lockdown amid a surge in cases late last year, however, the rapid pace of vaccination has allowed authorities to turn the tide on the pandemic. Israel had earlier reportedly sent vaccine doses to the occupied West Bank to inoculate Palestinian Authority medical workers. However, the country's justice department said plans to distribute surplus coronavirus vaccines has been halted. Netanyahu had said earlier that his government will be sending "limited quantity" of vaccines to the Palestinians and to several allies, however, the justice ministry later said that "the attorney general was examining the claim that vaccines were transferred to foreign countries without authority."

Bernie Sanders hits out at Israel for not sending coronavirus vaccines to Palestinians

The Israel government approved a nationwide <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">lockdown </a>beginning Friday after the nation's parliament approved an initial lockdown for two weeks which is likely to be extended.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-protests-break-out-in-israel-against-nethanyahus-poor-handling-of-coronavirus-327123">Also Read:&nbsp;Fresh protests break out in Israel against Nethanyahu's poor handling of coronavirus</a>

The country entered its second lockdown amid a spurt in coronavirus cases coinciding with the start of the Jewish New Year. Israel had earlier imposed a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/90-minute-british-dnanudge-covid-19-test-is-944-accurate-lancet-study-finds-328376">lockdown</a> in March and began easing restrictions in May.

“We find ourselves before the second closure since the start of the global coronavirus pandemic,” PM Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address to the nation, adding, "We have determined that one of the criteria for new restrictions would be a red flag from the health system and it was waved last week.” &nbsp;

Israel has witnessed 5,000 cases per day as authorities impose social distancing norms and limit worshippers going to synagogues amid the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana which begins on September 27.

The government has announced stringent guidelines including restrictions on educational activity, visiting each others residence and visits to the beach. The authorities have allowed not more than 20 people to gather in open spaces with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/chinese-scientist-says-covid-19-was-created-by-chinas-military-327862">social distancing</a> norms of at least 2 meters with residents allowed to go out up to a distance of 1 kilometre only.

The government has also designated cities as "red" which have recorded a large number of cases including Netanya and Rishon Letzion, near Tel Aviv and areas in Jerusalem, including the Old City. Amid the growing number of cases, the country has also ramped up testing with 5,238 positive cases detected on Thursday out of 56,986 tests processed.

The Israel government approved a nationwide lockdown beginning Friday after the nation's parliament approved an initial lockdown for two weeks which is likely to be extended.

The Israel government approved a nationwide lockdown beginning Friday after the nation's parliament approved an initial lockdown for two weeks which is likely to be extended. Also Read: Fresh protests break out in Israel against Nethanyahu's poor handling of coronavirus The country entered its second lockdown amid a spurt in coronavirus cases coinciding with the start of the Jewish New Year. Israel had earlier imposed a lockdown in March and began easing restrictions in May. “We find ourselves before the second closure since the start of the global coronavirus pandemic,” PM Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address to the nation, adding, "We have determined that one of the criteria for new restrictions would be a red flag from the health system and it was waved last week.” Israel has witnessed 5,000 cases per day as authorities impose social distancing norms and limit worshippers going to synagogues amid the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana which begins on September 27. The government has announced stringent guidelines including restrictions on educational activity, visiting each others residence and visits to the beach. The authorities have allowed not more than 20 people to gather in open spaces with social distancing norms of at least 2 meters with residents allowed to go out up to a distance of 1 kilometre only. The government has also designated cities as "red" which have recorded a large number of cases including Netanya and Rishon Letzion, near Tel Aviv and areas in Jerusalem, including the Old City. Amid the growing number of cases, the country has also ramped up testing with 5,238 positive cases detected on Thursday out of 56,986 tests processed.

Israel enters second lockdown amid spurt in coronavirus cases

The government is taking the extraordinary step after watching daily cases rise from five in late May to more than 4,000 this week.

Israel under 3 week lockdown during Jewish holiday