Air Travel Restrictions Lifted as Israel Seeks a New Normal

Despite suggestions by cynics who say the lauded Israeli COVID-19 vaccination campaign was so successful because politicians facing re-election fueled it, the Jewish state is fully absorbed by peeling back the pandemic’s “rules to live by.” Foremost on the watch list, though, is which newly required behaviors will survive the disease and the lockdowns. First and foremost, according to the Israeli COVID czar, is the mask. Those annoying face covers appear to be sticking around for the immediate future, if not longer. As it becomes matter of fact for those carrying “green passports” – proof of inoculation – new measures such as fast testing are being established in places such as event venues and recreation areas where nonvaccinated children may want to join their parents. Due to a Supreme Court ruling, all restrictions on Israelis arriving and departing through Ben-Gurion International Airport have been lifted. The court said part of its decision was based on the need to assure that citizens who wished to return to the country to vote in tomorrow’s election could do so.