Israel Shield (Hebrew: מגן ישראל) was Israel's national program to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, it is led by a "COVID czar," a position that, from June 2021, was held by Salman Zarka."Virus czar calls to begin readying for eventual 4th vaccine dose." The Times of Israel, September 5, 2021."Israel's COVID Czar to Travel to Ukraine to Oversee Uman Pilgrimage". Haaretz, September 5, 2021. The institution of the program coincided with the absorption of the March 2020 into the July 2020 legislation (also known informally as the "Great Coronavirus Law").The government proposes 'special powers to deal with the new Coronavirus' legislation" (Hebrew). Davar, May 31, 2020.
The COVID czar Subordinate to the Minister of Health and to the ministry's director, the COVID czar directly consulted with the Prime Minister. The COVID czar's recommendations generally received wide publicity in the press. All three COVID czars had been doctors who had previously held prominent public health roles.
In June 2021, Salman Zarka, was appointed by the Minister of Health, Nitzan Horowitz, replacing Nachman Ash, with the latter becoming the ministry's director."Coronavirus czar Nachman Ash named as new Health Ministry director-general." The Times of Israel, June 28, 2021. In November 2020, Ash, himself, had replaced the first COVID czar, Ronni Gamzu, who was originally appointed to the position in July of that year."AP Interview: Israeli virus czar fights outbreak, politics." Associated Press, September 25, 2020.
The COVID czar was not a member of the , unlike the Minister of Health and ministry's director who are permanent members.The Coronavirus Cabinet on the website of Prime Minister's Office (last updated June 2021).
References
External links https://govextra.gov.il/ministry-of-health/magen-israel/magen-israel/ (Hebrew) — summary of the program on the Ministry of Health's website