MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Uri Maklev is concerned over the fact that numerous government agencies are skirting the issue of earthquake preparedness. Maklev released a statement to the press after five earthquakes were felt in northern Israel since Thursday 13 Cheshvan and one in Eilat. He points out that various agencies continue to inform the public that other agencies are responsible to shoulder the responsibility of implementing the government’s Tama 38 preparedness project, yet nothing is moving forward. Experts in Israel following the light quakes warned that a serious earthquake in the Tiveria area could lead to the deaths of thousands of citizens and widespread destruction.

“It is unclear to me why in Israel there isn’t an agency that is responsible for centralizing all the necessary components of the preparedness effort ahead of a major earthquake in Israel” Maklev stated in a Knesset plenum address. “Today the responsibility is scattered among various government agencies and in the event of a significant earthquake chas v’sholom, it may result in the loss of thousands of lives.”

In response, Minister of Homefront Services Gilad Erdan stated “Based on the experts with whom we consult, the small earthquakes felt in recent days do not necessarily mean a major one is on the way…Since taking office I have been working to centralize all the different agencies – to coordinate efforts and in addition, the cabinet does hold sessions on the matter. We are working on the level of government offices being prepared along with local government and first response agencies such as police, fire and EMS. ”

Maklev concluded the warning bell that should be sounding is not heard and the prediction from the experts is worrisome and it demands the national government begin implementing the preparedness plan to minimize loss of life in the event of an earthquake chas v’sholom.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)