Israeli officials have demanded an apology from the NBC television network after a Saturday Night Live comedian joked Israel has only been vaccinating half its population, the Jewish half — a lie made all the more absurd in light of Israel’s heavy — and successful — campaign to persuade its Arab population to get the vaccine.
“Israel is reporting that they’ve vaccinated half of their population, and I’m gonna guess it’s the Jewish half,” quipped Weekend Update co-host Michael Che to laughter.
Some 4.3 million Israelis, which is close to 50 percent of the population, have received the first vaccine dose of the Pfizer vaccine and 2.9 million received both.
Among those, more than two thirds are Arab citizens over the age of 60. Around three million Israelis, including minors and those who have recovered from COVID-19, are not currently eligible for the vaccine.
Vaccinations have been offered to all
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