Israeli PM praises booster jabs' vaccination drive

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praised the country's COVID-19 booster vaccination drive on Sunday and said it had helped the country evade a full lockdown ahead of the Jewish holiday season.

Bennett told a Cabinet meeting 2.5 million Israelis had now received a third vaccine shot. Religious and secular Israelis alike mark Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, with festive holiday feasts with family and friends. This year, traditional family gatherings will again be muted, synagogue prayers will be limited to small groups that can prove they are vaccinated.

Bennett warned unvaccinated children should not be brought to synagogues. Last year, the holidays season led to a spike in infection numbers leading to a second full lockdown. This year the authorities are seeking to avoid full lockdowns and keep the economy going.