Palestinian Authority calls off one million-dose coronavirus vaccine exchange with Israel

The PA says the doses, which Israel began shipping to the occupied West Bank on Friday, are too close to expiring

New Israeli government said it would transfer soon-to-expire Pfizer vaccines, and that PA would repay it with a similar number of vaccines when it received them

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A Palestinian medical worker receives a Covid-19 vaccine at the Palestinian Red Crescent Hospital in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:12am, 19 Jun 2021Updated: 4:47am, 19 Jun 2021

The Palestinian Authority is calling off an agreement whereby Israel would transfer 1 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to it in exchange for a similar number later this year.

The PA says the doses, which Israel began shipping to the occupied West Bank on Friday, are too close to expiring.

Palestinian officials had come under heavy criticism on social media after the agreement was announced earlier on Friday, with Palestinians accusing them of accepting subpar vaccines and suggesting they might not be effective.

In announcing the agreement, Israel said the vaccines “will expire soon” without specifying the date.

A Palestinian man leaves the Palestinian Red Crescent Hospital in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Israel has completely reopened after carrying out a highly successful vaccination campaign but has faced criticism for not sharing its supplies with the 4.5 million Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

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