Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Palestinians begin easing coronavirus restrictions

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh: It is time to “cautiously return life to normal.”

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Credit: JCPA.
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Credit: JCPA.

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced on Monday that mosques, churches and businesses would reopen on Tuesday in the P.A.-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria.

Shtayyeh said it was time to “cautiously return life to normal” as the coronavirus infection rate has decreased, reported Reuters.

The P.A. locked down the territories in March after the first case of the virus was detected in Bethlehem.

Shtayyeh also said that P.A. ministries and offices would reopen on Wednesday and checkpoints that restrict intercity travel would be removed.

The Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed 423 cases of the virus and two deaths, according to the report, which added that the crisis led to a 50 percent drop in commercial revenues in the West Bank and a 17.6 percent unemployment rate.

The Palestinian Health Ministry announced the first coronavirus-related death in the Gaza Strip on Saturday.

Ambassador Tom Barrack clarified his comments regarding Israeli control of the strategic plateau after drawing rebukes from Jerusalem and Capitol Hill.
The sides discussed a U.S.-supervised communication mechanism involving Ankara that would prevent escalation in Syrian territory.
IDF troops seized the suspect in the area of the attack on Sunday afternoon.
“We are, as always, troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute,” the film production company said as the feud went viral.