The State Comptroller met mayors from the Druze regional councils in the Golan Heights who towns had not been formally evacuated despite the security situation. "Business owners need assistance due to the cessation of tourism and in environmental protection issues". The State Comptroller discussed with the mayors the challenges in protecting their towns
Due to the fluid security situation on Israel's northern border, the State Comptroller and Ombudsman, Metanyahu Engleman visited the Golan Heights (3.7.24)
State Comptroller Engleman began his visit in the regional council of Ein Kenah , on the slopes of Mt. Hermon. The regional council mayor, Wahil Mugrabee, the mayor of Agir, Ahmad Fatalli and the mayor of Mag'del Shams, Dolan Abu Alah, presented to the State Comptroller and his team the challenges and needs that the residents are coping with. These towns are in close proximity to the battlefields in Lebanon and Syria, but were not evacuated when the current military operation commenced in October 2023.
The mayors described the difficulties that the residents have encountered in receiving building permits.
The State Comptroller stressed the importance of providing immediate assistance to the towns adjacent to the border that were not evacuated. "These towns are at point blank range from being shot at. Air raid sirens are a daily event. The towns need assistance - small business owners, tourism operators and help with protecting the environment."
State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman in a meeting with the head of the Golan Regional Council Uri Kellner
The State Comptroller added that, "We are here at a waste facility that was built on a garbage dump. The regional council's initiative turned an eyesore into a green space for public use. The project is superb, however alongside we see the findings cited in the audit report that indicated the need for regulation of waste removal sites. The Ein Kinya council was forced to transport waste a significant distance from the Golan Heights to Afula. This is unfathomable. We highlighted this absurdity in a past audit report. The Minister of the Environment in cooperation with the Israel Lands Authority must provide resources to immediately solve this issue."
The State Comptroller also visited Katzrin, and met Uri Kelner, the mayor of the Golan Regional Council. The mayor summarized for the State Comptroller, the emergency preparations and the severity of the challenges that the security situation presents. The challenges include security, emergency squad operations, and shortcomings in the assistance given to Israeli residents who were relocated to the Goal due to the security situation.
State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman in a meeting with the heads of the Druze councils in the Golan Heights
