Deputy Foreign Minister Idan Roll was filmed celebrating the New Year in a crowded indoor party without a mask, despite calls from Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s to please “act responsibly” to avoid COVID-19 infections, N12 reported on Saturday.
In a now-deleted Instagram post, Roll was filmed by his husband, Israeli singer Harel Skaat, at the party without a mask.
In December, Bennett asked every member of the cabinet to avoid crowded events and to set an example in regards to wearing masks.
“The private event was held according to coronavirus restrictions,” the deputy foreign minister told N12.
“In addition, all participants were required to present a negative COVID-19 test from the day of the event,” he added.
Shas MK Moshe Arbel called on MK Gilad Kariv, head of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, to decline to bring the new coronavirus restrictions approved by the government to a vote in the committee on Sunday.
According to Arbel, Roll’s “lawlessness” shows the new restrictions are not deserving of the Knesset and the public’s support and cooperation.
“We cannot have one law for civilians and another for elected officials,” Arbel stated.
Roll's office responded that the event was private and all coronavirus directives were followed. All participants at the event were required to present a negative test from earlier that day, his office said.
On Thursday, the Health Ministry passed preventative measures such as mandatory masks outdoors and the approval to administer the fourth vaccine for those with a compromised immune system.