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Social media reports have claimed that Israeli children cannot take exams unless they have received a COVID-19 vaccine. According to Israel’s Ministry of Education, this is not true.
Examples of the claim have been shared more than 1,400 times on Facebook (here) and (here).
The reports contain a voice clip in which a woman, allegedly in Israel, discusses various restrictions that apply to people who have not received a vaccine against coronavirus. “It’s a very bad situation here,” she says. “They do not allow children from the age of 16 to take their matriculation exams without doing this injection.” (Time Code – 1.05)
In January, the Israeli government expanded its vaccination campaign to include anyone between the ages of 16 and 18 if they have parental consent (here). The spokesperson for the Ministry of Education said at the time that this decision was taken “to enable their return (to school) and the orderly holding of examinations”.
However, this does not mean that children who have not been vaccinated are not allowed to write their exams. In an email to Reuters, the spokesman clarified this position and said, “No, there is no such instruction.”
More than half of Israel’s population (here) has so far received at least one dose of Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
While it is not true to say that unvaccinated teens will be blocked from exams, it is admittedly subject to certain restrictions on the non-vaccinated population.
Israel has instituted a “Green Pass” for its citizens, which is a government-certified certificate showing that a person has received both doses of the vaccine, or that they have recovered from COVID-19 and that they are immune (here). The pass is valid for six months from the vaccination.
Gymnasiums, swimming pools, theaters and hotels are only open to passengers (here). When you are inside, strict limits are applied regarding occupations and social distance requirements.
VERDICT
Untrue. While Israel has instituted a ‘Green Pass’ to reopen rooms for vaccinated citizens, it has not stopped unvaccinated students from taking matriculation exams.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work here.