The Cabinet, at its weekly meeting on Sunday morning 2 Rosh Chodesh Elul, was briefed on the preparedness of the Israel homefront for emergencies and earthquakes. Defense Ministry National Emergency Authority Director Bezalel Treiber briefed ministers on the progress that has been made by the various ministries and bodies and on the main gaps that exist in the field.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ordered that an additional meeting be held in which all ministers will present the progress that their ministries have made regarding emergency preparedness as well as plans to close the gaps.

The Prime Minister asked the professional bodies to send a delegation to Italy in order to study the main lessons from the recent earthquake and present them to the cabinet.

The Prime Minister also directed the cabinet to consider the possibility of implementing an international standard for strengthening old structures in order to withstand earthquakes and to offer economic incentives in at-risk areas.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)