At the press conference held on Saturday night by the Prime Minister with Ministers Yisrael Katz and Yoav Galant, incoming Health Minister Yuli Edelstein was conspicuous by his absence.
Was the targeting intentional?
The minister's office said: "In response to a question from journalists, Health Minister Yuli (Yoel) Edelstein regularly instructed his office staff during the holiday and Shabbat regarding handling the increase in the number of coronavirus patients. He also participated in all consultations with the Prime Minister, despite being a Sabbath keeper. This is due to the principle of 'pikuach nefesh'.".
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According to the bureau, observing the Sabbath is also what prevented him from participating in the press conference: "The Minister of Health saw great importance in updating Israeli citizens immediately after the Sabbath, and therefore preferred not to delay the press conference until his arrival.".
Edelstein stayed on Shavuot and Shabbat at the Setai Hotel on the Sea of Galilee.
