In a shocking revelation on Monday, Israel’s Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz) was caught on a hot mike discussing the Green Passport system with Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (New Right). The Green Passport is a document showing proof of covid vaccination or recovery from covid enabling access to public venues.

During the exchange, Shaked could be heard saying: “I also think that the Green Passport can be canceled for outdoor dining.”

Horowitz responded saying: “Also in outdoor swimming pools, not just restaurants. Epidemiologically speaking, it’s true. It’s true.”

“The problem I’m telling you is, the problem is the people who aren’t getting vaccinated. We need them to…otherwise, we won’t escape this.”

The video has gone viral on social media in Israel as the country is growing frustrated with what many deem overreaching health restrictions.

Long-time Israeli journalist Haim Cohen responded to the bombshell revelation with an op-ed where he expressed his betrayal saying “the sentiment of the Health Minister admitting that the Green Passport is in place not for health reasons but rather to encourage vaccinations angers me. It appears as though me and my colleagues have turned into sales agents of the vaccine.”

Cohen then decried the pay cuts he suffered because of it and implied that Horowitz should compensate him.