Israel: Top health official assigned security detail following 'credible' death threats
Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis is seen by many as the face of the government’s pandemic policies
The Health Ministry assigned a private security detail to its public health director after police determined that the official was the target of credible death threats.
Police launched a criminal probe into threats made on social media against Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, one of Israel's top health officials, seen by many as the face of the government’s pandemic policies.
In the past months she has become the target of opprobrium by anti-vaxxer.
“The Health Ministry is working in liaison with the police and all reports of threats against any ministry employee are examined and dealt with in accordance with the information and security assessments,” a ministry statement read.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett backed the official, saying that "the anti-vaxxers' fake news war against Alroy-Preis and others has to stop. The vaccines are our Iron Dome against coronavirus. They save lives and allow us to keep Israel open and functioning. Ignore the fake news, go get vaccinated."
Public Security Minister Omer Barlev also condemned the threats, saying that "this kind of rhetoric won't be allowed against any person, least of all against dedicated public servants and eminent experts in their field."
Israel's vaccination rollout has been acclaimed as among the world's most efficient.