Coronavirus death toll in Israel nears 500, while number of hospitalizations and serious cases of the coronavirus stabilizes.

MK Naftali Bennett, head of the Yamina party, has met with Likud MK Yifat Shasha-Biton, Channel 12 News reports, in order to persuade her to join his party.Shasha-Biton was formerly head of the Knesset's coronavirus committee, and had clashed with the Likud leadership In several occasions, when she and fellow committee members overturned restrictions imposed by the government designed ostensibly to curb the transmission of the coronavirus. She was subsequently replaced as committee head.

Speaking to the public following a wave of rumors that she is unwell, Sara Netanyahu, wife of the Prime Minister, said that, "Children have committed suicide due to shaming - please remember that my children and I are also human beings."

MK Betzalel Smotrich (Yamina) took to Twitter to attack the broadcaster "Kan News.""It's Motzaei Tisha b'Av [the night after the fast of the Ninth of Av]. Five minutes past eight, the news from a Jewish broadcaster. What do we see? Left-wing protests. Nothing about the day itself, about the millions of Jews who fasted, prayed, felt distress at the Destruction [of the Holy Temple]. And I am distressed, at the extent of their disconnect. There's still what to fast about."

Around 1,000 left-wing protesters have arrived outside the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem to conduct what has become a regular protest. Earlier, local residents sought to have the Supreme Court ban the protest.

16 European ambassadors, led by the French ambassador, have submitted a formal protest to the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, related to the Israeli government's intention to publish a tender next Sunday for building in the E1 area near Jerusalem which is located over the "Green Line."

16 European diplomats express 'grave concerns' regarding Israel's plan to building in southern Jerusalem neighborhood and near Maale Adumim.

Minister of Labor & Economy Amir Peretz has criticized the government for its decision to source medical equipment in China rather than purchasing needing supplies from Israeli companies."We will do what we can to protect Israeli industries," he said. "Today I signed In an order extending the prohibition In shipping ventilators abroad, in order to protect the health of Israeli citizens. We cannot In the Ine hand ask Israeli companies to collaborate with the government and In the other hand disregard their interests. Israeli industry is our anchor and I will insist that protecting it is not just an empty slogan but something that we put into practise."