Israeli minister breaks rules to stem coronavirus

JERUSALEM

An Israeli minister who tested positive for coronavirus has broken the Israeli health ministry's rules to stem the pandemic, prompting call for her resignation, according to Israeli media.

The Likud-member Israeli Environment Protection Minister Gila Gamliel broke the coronavirus lockdown and travelled some 150 kilometers from Tel Aviv to Tiberias, The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported.

Gamliel violated the directive that she voted for, which prohibits the movement of the citizens more than one kilometer from their residences.

According to the newspaper, Gamliel found herself infected after she left Tel Aviv.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel (NGO) called on the minister to resign for her behavior saying "an elected official cannot lie to the authorities”.

The Israeli authorities have imposed a restricted lockdown for 10 days that lasts until Oct. 14 in an effort to curb the increase of the coronavirus infections across Israel.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara