Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai's cultural reopening plan met with skepticism

• Published date: 17 January 2021
• Author: HANNAH BROWN
• Date: 17 January 2021

Deputy Attorney General Raz Nizri said in a letter to Culture Minister Chili Tropper that Huldai lacks the authority to take such a step. Tropper said, "I am happy for any additional public figure who chooses to miraculously raise the importance of culture, but it is better if it is not for electoral purposes but from a responsible and true perception. When it comes to statehood and health, I suggest everyone put populism aside."

Huldai announced last month that he was creating a new party called The Israelis that would be running in the March national elections and would continue to serve as Tel Aviv's mayor even during the campaign. In his tweet, Huldai wrote: "At the beginning of February, I will open all the cultural institutions in Tel Aviv-Jaffa to anyone who has received two vaccines.

We will not wait for the government of Bibi-Gantz, which does not know how to manage anything. For us it is deeds and not talk. That's how you really come back to life and not just engage in press conferences."

Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kish said on Sunday morning, "While the State of Israel is facing a rise in morbidity and is fighting for the lives of critically ill patients, Huldai continues with anarchy and populism. Huldai's pathetic attempts to garner votes on the backs of Tel Aviv residents could endanger human lives."

The Health Ministry released a statement saying, "Ron Huldai is practicing politics at the expense of public health. Ron Huldai's abandoning [of responsibility], which began with the distribution of vaccines against the decision of the priority committee, consisting only of professionals, and continues with opening places dangerously, is scandalous and should be a warning light for every citizen."

The Health Ministry statement refers to an incident in which the Tel Aviv Municipality, in conjunction with Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, gave nearly three thousand vaccinations to teachers earlier this month at a vaccination center in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. Teaching staff had not yet been cleared to receive vaccinations, which were being given then to those over 60 and medical professionals, but the medical center and the municipality said that the thousands of vaccines were simply leftovers and needed to be used.

In a letter to the Culture Ministry outlining his plan last week, Huldai said that a special green passport could be created for entrance to cultural events such as concerts and theatrical performances, museums, sports, movie theaters...