Israel is set to give tens of thousands of coronavirus vaccine doses to some 15 countries in exchange for diplomatic backing, according to a report Tuesday.
Nearly 100,000 doses in total will be given to other countries, the Kan public broadcaster reported.
The list of countries has yet to be finalized, but the report said it would include Italy and Chad, as well as other unspecified African states that renewed diplomatic ties with Israel. The Czech Republic, Guatemala, Honduras and Hungary — which have opened diplomatic missions in Jerusalem or pledged to do so — were also expected to receive vaccines.
The doses will reportedly come from the supply of vaccines Israel purchased from Moderna.
The report came after the broadcaster revealed earlier Tuesday that Israel was offering vaccines to various countries in return for diplomatic support, and would send thousands of doses for medical staff in the Palestinian Authority.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that it was sending thousands of vaccines to the Palestinian Authority as well as shots to other destinations, without specifying further.
Top government ministers were kept in the dark about the plan, which is being pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Finance Minister Israel Katz, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, also said he was unaware of any plan to hand over vaccines to various countries in exchange for diplomatic support.
“I sign the checks and I didn’t sign off on anything like this,” Katz told Army Radio.
The Foreign Ministry reportedly said that surplus vaccines will only be given to other countries after Israel has completed vaccinating its own population.
Also Tuesday, Netanyahu said he spoke with the head of Pfizer about acquiring more vaccines, amid reports suggesting there could be a shortfall.
“We agreed that there will be a continuous supply of Pfizer vaccines without any shortage by Pfizer; without any shortage, interruption or halt. Go and be vaccinated. We are also receiving more and more and more vaccines from Moderna. Go and be vaccinated,” Netanyahu said in a statement from his office.
The premier was also quoted by Army Radio telling ministers that Israel is negotiating the purchase of millions of additional coronavirus vaccines, in anticipation that it will need to administer booster shots in six months.
