Argaman released a statement confirming an earlier report and explained that the family visited his home on Saturday and that it took him time to respond since he had been on a two-day work trip overseas. He said that his daughter, currently serving in the IDF, hadn't been home for the past month-and-a-half. In addition, she was joined by his spouse's daughter, her husband and their child. Argaman apologized and took full responsibility.
Argaman joins a long list of Israeli public figures, including senior state officials and politicians, whose violation of lockdown restrictions were recently exposed – setting a bad example and contributing to the already damaged public trust in government guidelines for combating the coronavirus.
According to the restrictions approved by the coronavirus cabinet, entering other families' sukkahs is prohibited, and will lead to a NIS 500 fine. This applies to people found staying in houses of others, which is also not allowed.
Deputy director-general of the Health Ministry Itamar Grotto told KAN News that he "can only feel disappointed" after hearing about the report on Argaman's violation of restrictions.
"Personally, I don't visit my mother. We only speak over the phone," Grotto added.
The Shin Bet had originally responded by saying that it "does not comment on the director's private life."