Israelis protest tightened COVID-19 ‘green pass’ rules

Israelis on Sunday reportedly protested new more-restrictive COVID-19 “green pass” rules that will allow vaccinated people to attend indoor events

Demonstrators used their cars to slow down traffic as citizens returned to work for the first time since September’s Jewish High Holidays, The Associated Press reported. 

Protesters are arguing that the “Green Pass” rules represent a new form of forced vaccination, according to the AP. 

The “Green Pass” guidelines, revised on Sunday, state that citizens who have received their vaccine booster shot and those who recovered from the illness are eligible to receive a “green pass” that is valid for half a year. The new mandate is considered an attempt to encourage vaccinations among citizens who haven’t received their third shot yet, the AP reported. 

Under this new guidelines, nearly 2 million people will lose their current vaccination passports in the next few days. 

The changes come as most countries are dealing with another wave of COVID-19 infections, due in part to the highly contagious delta variant.  

Israeli’s health ministry has been dealing with technical issues on the nation’s “green pass: rollout with citizens re-using digital documentation to enter businesses in the country. 

Israeli’s advisory cabinet on COVID-19 was set to discuss the existing restrictions and guidelines on Sunday, the AP noted.