Minister of Homefront Affairs Matan Vilnai feels there is no reason that citizens should not be compelled to undertake financing the gas mask personal protection kits. Vilnai was appearing before a session of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, briefing members on the status of the homefront’s preparedness and the personal protection kits.

Regarding the Gaza border communities, those located up to seven kilometers (4.2 miles) from the Gaza border, Vilnai stated that ideally, all those homes would be fortified to withstand a rocket attack. The minister explained that while this is his goal, the present reality is quite a different story.

Vilnai told committee members that they must make certain that his office continues operating after his departure in the summer. Vilnai has been appointed the next ambassador to China and as such, he will be taking leave of his ministerial post. Committee Chair Bar-On stated that the ministry cannot remain without a minister.

It was also learned that despite the treasury allocating 220 million NIS to the Ministry of Education towards fortifying schools, this budget has not yet been actualized and currently there is not a single school fortified to withstand rocket attacks. When asked why this important project was not moving ahead, Vilnai directed the committee to pose the question to the minister of education.

Regarding a state of emergency, Vilnai explained that as per the lessons learned from the Second Lebanon War, mayors would oversee homefront operations in their cities for they are most familiar, being involved in training exercises during the course of the year.

Bar-On disagreed, stating that another lesson learned from that war is that some mayors are not event present within the municipal boundaries during an emergency situation, suggesting the idea is not an acceptable one.

Regarding the gas mask kits, the minister feels that residents should pay for their own just as they pay for building fortified safe rooms from their own money, and the latter is far more expensive. He added that he himself does not have a gas mask kit at home as is the case regarding members of his family.

The defense ministry budget only covers 60% of the cost of such kits.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)