Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Mr Bennett warned there was no way to prevent a new wave of Covid infections despite those travel restrictions.

“We cannot prevent the [new] wave. It’s just not a possibility,” Mr Bennett told members of his so-called coronavirus cabinet, which is leading the response to the pandemic.

“But we can certainly give the citizens of Israel the tools to protect themselves, mainly from serious illness, if some of them become infected,” he added.

“The bad news is that omicron is advancing exactly according to our expectations and predictions. We’re doubling new cases [each day]…the decision is between lighter restrictions now or difficult steps later,” he said.

Israel has stopped short of declaring a lockdown but continues to enforce its Green Pass system, a vaccine passport. The pass is required to enter large indoor venues such as shopping malls.