Weekly Commentary: Ministry of Health Defeats Royal Caribbean With An Assist
From Hamas
Dr. Aaron Lerner 15 May , 2021
The Israel Ministry of Health has done everything in its power to interfere
with Royal Caribbean's plans to have its newest cruise ship spends its first
season exclusively serving Israelis who would board in Haifa Port.
With an assist from Hamas they have finally succeeded in convincing Royal
Caribbean to cancel the program.
The Ministry of Health's most potent shot across Royal Caribbean's bow was
the ongoing refusal of the Ministry of Health to share a few of the millions
of its spare COVID-19 vaccinations with the Royal Caribbean's crew. The
vessel came several times to Haifa Port with the idea that the crew could
complete the vaccination series in time to be ready for the first Israeli
passengers, but Ministry of Health bureaucrats refused. The Minister of
Health (and Prime Minister Netanyahu who invited Royal Caribbean to come in
the first place) opted not to intervene.
Not having a vaccinated crew was only part of the problems that Royal
Caribbean faced. With next to no time left before the start of the cruise
season, the Ministry of Health had yet to come up with the COVID-19
guidelines which would apply to the cruises This wasn't just a question of
on board rules. The cruises were to include overseas port calls and tours
and the Ministry of Health bureaucrats refused to commit as to whether the
port calls would even be permitted.
As many as 60,000 Israelis were expected to sail on a chance of a lifetime
cruise with KOSHER main dinning room and more on the newest cruise ship in
the world in the exclusive company of their countrymen, and all this with
the convenience of boarding in Haifa.
The Israel Ministry of Health hasn't just defeated Royal Caribbean. The
Israel Ministry of Health bureaucrats have again hurt the Israeli public.
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