Israeli TV reported that the Mossad (the external intelligence agency), allegedly assured the country a vaccine against CoVid-19 produced in China. The news came following the government's announcement this weekend that it was stepping up diplomatic efforts to acquire the best coronavirus vaccine.
According to the newspaper The Jerusalem Post, a senior Israeli health ministry official "who is aware of the issue" said the country is finalizing deals with developers from several countries to purchase coronavirus vaccines. Israeli television on Monday Channel 12 he said that "multiple sources" confirmed that Mossad had secured the Chinese vaccine and that it had "taken it to Israel" to be studied by scientists.
It is unclear why Mossad, Israel's main external intelligence agency, was involved in acquiring the coronavirus vaccine. The report unearthed by the media reveals that the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Ministry of Health, were never involved in the effort to acquire the Chinese-made vaccine. It is not the first time that Mossad has dealt with the CoViD-19 emergency. As reported by intelNews, Mossad director Yossi Cohen was also the head of a national committee for CoVid-19, to guarantee the country the supply of medicines and protective supplies.
The news, however, was kept confidential as much as possible according to a precise strategy: the Mossad would have bought the vaccine from China in secret, because Israel did not want to offend the United States at a time when tensions between Washington and Beijing are escalating. .
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health have asked the Prime Minister's office for clarification on the role of Mossad in acquiring a COVID-19 vaccine. The spokesman declined to comment on the affair.