Gabi Barbash

Illustrative image of a scientist in a lab (anyaivanova; iStock by Getty Images)

June 25, 2023, 11:42 am

Israel Science Foundation announces new program to support physician-researchers

$100 million MAVRI initiative funded by government and philanthropists will create positions and carve out time for doctors who also want to work in the lab

By Renee Ghert-Zand

Jerusalemites on Jaffa street on January 13, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

February 3, 2021, 8:28 pm

High Israel contagion rates blur effect of Pfizer shot on virus transmission

Data from HMOs carrying out world’s fastest vaccination campaign show vaccine protects against severe illness; not clear, however, whether ‘epidemiological barrier’ formed

By Guillaume LAVALLÉE and Ben Simon

Palestinians sit as PA Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh opens a hospital for COVID-19 patients in the West Bank city of Nablus, on January 16, 2021. (Nasser Ishtayeh/ Flash90)

January 21, 2021, 6:42 am

Israeli immunity hinges on Palestinians getting COVID shots too, doctors say

Epidemiological interest is clear, say officials, warning that herd immunity cannot be reached otherwise, but legal experts conflicted over whether Israel is ultimately responsible

By Aaron Boxerman and Nathan Jeffay

Israelis on the beach in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2020, as lockdown restrictions were eased. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

October 18, 2020, 6:25 am

Easing restrictions, Israel begins opening up from second lockdown

Preschools and daycares reopen, limits on movement lifted, amid fresh concerns that lax attitudes could lead to new virus surge

By ToI Staff and AFP

Ronni Gamzu visits the coronavirus unit at Ziv Hospital in Safed on September 27, 2020. (David Cohen/FLASH90)

October 1, 2020, 11:53 am

Edelstein says coronavirus czar Gamzu should stick around, as early exit mulled

Health minister refuses to be drawn on possible replacements to lead anti-pandemic efforts, with reports indicating incumbent will quit after clashes with Netanyahu

By ToI Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Defense Minister Benny Gantz at the weekly cabinet meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem on June 28, 2020. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

September 30, 2020, 10:56 pm

Netanyahu: It could be a year before coronavirus lockdown is fully lifted

PM proposes to further tighten closure, limiting people to 200 meters from home; orders hospitals to brace for 5,000 seriously ill patients; said to want Barbash as new virus czar

By ToI Staff

Thousands protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his official residence in Jerusalem on August 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

September 2, 2020, 6:15 am

Mass anti-Netanyahu rallies are likely not a major health hazard — US expert

Do demonstrations spread coronavirus? Major US study on George Floyd aftermath suggests no, and author says that’s good news for Israel

By Nathan Jeffay

First-grade students and their parents in a classroom ahead of the opening of the school year at Orot Etzion School, in the West Bank settlement of Efrat, August 30, 2020. (Gershon Elinson/Flash90)

August 31, 2020, 11:51 am

Teachers put off strike for 2 days, enabling school year to open on time

But union warns that if no solution is found for high-risk teaching staff, labor action will begin later in the week; former health official says operating schools is a bad idea

By ToI Staff

Then director-General of the Health Ministry Prof. Ronni Gamzu attends a Finance committee meeting in the Knesset, in Jerusalem. April 23, 2014. (Flash90)

July 23, 2020, 11:34 am

New virus czar spoke out against shutdown as second wave began to hit

In post earlier this month, Ronni Gamzu called widespread closures a ‘doomsday weapon,’ said he prefers less-severe restrictions

By ToI Staff

Prof. Gabi Barbash. (Weizmann Institute screenshot)

July 23, 2020, 1:10 am

Gabi Barbash walks away from virus czar post; Ronni Gamzu takes job instead

Former health official gives up on position after failing to reach agreement with Netanyahu and Edelstein over division of power

By ToI Staff

July 22, 2020, 10:25 pm

Gabi Barbash threatens to walk away from virus czar post amid disputes

Yuli Edelstein demanding that former Health Ministry director report to him; latter warns that if no deal is reached by day’s end he won’t take job

By ToI Staff

Prof. Gabi Barbash, former director general at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, on April 7, 2020. (Channel 12)

July 21, 2020, 6:33 pm

Gabi Barbash to head national campaign against COVID-19 – reports

Appointment of former top health official, who will reportedly receive relatively broad authority to fight pandemic, expected to be formally announced later Tuesday

By ToI Staff

Nurses from Hadassah Medical Center protest against their work conditions at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem on July 20, 2020. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

July 20, 2020, 1:24 pm

Sick and tired of being sick and tired: 5 things to know for July 20

Amid pandemic and nurses strike, government wavers on virus rules and stimulus checks; there’s still no virus czar; and Shin Bet surveillance proves faulty

By ToI Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and Mossad head Yossi Cohen during a toast for the Jewish New Year on October 2, 2017. (Haim Zach/GPO)

July 20, 2020, 9:41 am

Netanyahu said to consider Mossad chief to head up national virus response

Yossi Cohen, a confidant of the premier, reportedly mooted after no agreement reached on string of other officials, some of whom refused

By ToI Staff

July 19, 2020, 12:38 pm

Health Ministry denies Gabi Barbash chosen to head drive against virus

Officials say report that former top health official, a professor of epidemiology and preventive medicine, selected as COVID czar is ‘gossip,’ say minister is vetting candidates

By ToI Staff