Netanyahu criticised over 'cash for all' Israel pandemic rescue plan

They argued the money should instead be targeted at Israel’s poorest citizens.

The Bank of Israel governor, Amir Yaron, told local radio that there were “more effective ways” to encourage consumer spending.

And foreign minister, Gabi Ashkenazi, from the Blue and White party, said the money should go “to those who are hurting and not to those who don’t need it”.

On Thursday the Israeli PM said he had told a cabinet meeting he was “making every effort” to avoid another full lockdown in the country. 

He said he would give ministers one week to work on proposals for a “safe opening” of the economy. 

More than one in five Israelis are unemployed and many businesses say they will close as a result of the pandemic.