Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu on Thursday night announced the cancellation of studies at universities and schools across the country, not including special education institutions, kindergartens and boarding schools for at-risk youth.

“We are in the midst of a global event and a national event that is unparalleled throughout the country’s existence. The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus a global pandemic. No one on earth has been immune to it.”

”Secondly, at this point there is no vaccine for the virus, and the expectation is that even if a vaccine is found – it will take a long time. It’s not a matter of days, nor weeks, and I wish I could say it will be months.”

Following his remarks, Netanyahu called for the establishment of a national emergency government. “I call for the establishment of a national emergency government without hesitation or rejection. It will be an emergency government for a limited period, and together we will fight to save the lives of thousands of civilians. We must put politics aside – and then return to the point where we are now.”