Israeli Finance Minister Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman speaks to the media during the weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem August 1, 2021. (Reuters)
Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman speaks to the media during the weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem August 1, 2021. (Reuters)
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Israeli Finance Minister Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman speaks to the media during the weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem August 1, 2021. (Reuters)
Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman speaks to the media during the weekly cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem August 1, 2021. (Reuters)

Israeli Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Saturday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and would self-isolate but continue working from home.

"I feel good and will isolate in the next few days," Lieberman said on Twitter. Foreign Minister Yair Lapid tested positive on Monday.

Lieberman has faced some public criticism for not providing more government aid to businesses as the Omicron variant has pushed Israeli infection rates to new highs, keeping many employees in isolation and customers at home.

"I will continue to pursue responsible economic policies from home, keep track of the data and plan future steps," Lieberman, 63, tweeted in an apparent response to the criticism.

On Jan. 10, Lieberman posted a photo of himself receiving a fourth COVID-19 vaccination dose. Israel began administering a second round of boosters to immune-compromised people in late December, expanding the campaign to its over-60-year-olds and medical staff in January.

The Health Ministry says that a first booster increases protection seven days after the shot but has not yet released data on the effectiveness of a fourth dose.

Israel, population 9.4 million, has confirmed around 1.7 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic and more than 8,000 deaths.



Russia’s Lavrov: Why Would Europe Be at Ukraine Talks if They Want War to Carry On? 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric in Moscow, Russia, 17 February 2025. (EPA)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric in Moscow, Russia, 17 February 2025. (EPA)
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Russia’s Lavrov: Why Would Europe Be at Ukraine Talks if They Want War to Carry On? 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric in Moscow, Russia, 17 February 2025. (EPA)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric in Moscow, Russia, 17 February 2025. (EPA)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked on Monday why Europe would be invited to join possible talks on a peace settlement in Ukraine if European politicians want the war to carry on.

Speaking at a news conference with his Serbian counterpart ahead of US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Lavrov said that Europe had already had several chances to be involved in a settlement on Ukraine and that he didn't know how European states would contribute if they were invited to the negotiating table given their stance on the war.

There are different views on Ukraine among European politicians, but most say they want what they call "a just and lasting peace."