The COVID-19 vaccine was not mandatory in Israel, but the government implemented strong incentives and restrictions to encourage vaccination. Israel’s vaccination campaign, starting in December 2020, was highly successful, with about 64% of eligible Israelis receiving at least one dose by June 2021. The government promoted vaccination through the “Green Pass” system, introduced in February 2021, which granted access to certain venues like gyms, hotels, restaurants, and cultural events only to those who were fully vaccinated OR had recovered from COVID-19. Health Minister Yuli Edelstein explicitly stated in 2021 that vaccination would not be compulsory. However, proposals for mandatory vaccination were raised at times. For instance, in November 2020, Edelstein reportedly considered a mandatory vaccine law but was rebuffed, with officials denying such plans. In December 2021, Coronavirus Commissioner Prof. Salman Zarka suggested a potential mandate, but Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, Head of Public Health Services, expressed skepticism, and no mandate was enacted. Despite incentives, around 10% of Israelis over 16 (approximately 650,000 people) were estimated to be vaccine-hesitant by early 2021. Incentives like free food and community outreach were used to boost uptake, particularly in hesitant groups like ultra-Orthodox communities. In summary, while Israel did not enforce a blanket mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy, the Green Pass and sector-specific rules created significant pressure to vaccinate, leading to debates about coercion versus public health. The approach was effective in achieving high vaccination rates but raised ethical and legal questions about individual rights.
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