An IDF Colonel assigned to the Homefront Command reports that 70% of Israelis are protected in time of war. According to a Yisrael Hayom report, quoting Colonel Golan Wach, the IDF has to invest hundreds of millions of shekels to ensure all of the residents of Yehuda and Shomron are protected in time of war.

Being that the cities in ‘Israel proper’ remain the main target of Israel’s enemies, and not yishuvim located throughout Yehuda and Shomron, which are located in proximity to PA (Palestinian Authority) areas, this investment by the government is unlikely to take place any time soon while so many cities and municipalities in Israel remain unprotected. The theory is that attacks against yishuvim are less likely to occur, and even if they do, the yishuvim are far less densely populated than urban areas still requiring additional fortification against attacks in wartime. Hence, the limited funds are likely to be spent inside ‘Israel proper’ before they are allocated to yishuvim.

Wach is completing his current assignment as head of Homefront Command’s Physical Protection Division, and he told Yisrael Hayom that while funds are invested to protect yishuvim day-to-day, this is not the same as during wartime, which presents its own unique needs and requirements.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)