The Comptroller emphasized: "The population is conducting itself under the shadow of a multi-year failure to regulate the protection gaps in homes and in educational institutions"
State Comptroller and Ombudsman Matanyahu Englman toured today (14.11.2024) in Zefat and Karmiel.
In Zefat, Comptroller Englman met with the Mayor Yossi Kakon at the municipal war room. The Mayor and the department directors in the city set out before the State Comptroller the challenges that the residents of the city, that for over a year has been suffering rocket barrages, have to deal with.
It is estimated that many of the businesses in Zefat, in particular those that earn their livelihood from tourism, have experienced a significant drop in their income since the outbreak of the war and some have closed. Comptroller Englman spoke with the owners of galleries and other businesses that earn their livelihood from tourism and heard from them about the financial crisis they are experiencing.
The Comptroller was also presented with the severe protection gaps in the city: About 40% of the residents and about 50% of the educational institutions do not have protection – and this is also the case for the decisive majority of the businesses in Zefat.
Comptroller Englman visited a home in the city that had suffered a direct hit: "The population is conducting itself under the shadow of a multi-year failure to regulate the protection gaps in homes and in educational institutions. The government must provide an immediate response for the localities in the north that are located under the threat of missiles".
Comptroller Englman with the Mayor of Safed Yossi Kakkon
"It is supremely important to examine the issue of financial aid to Zefat – a city based on tourism but for over one year no tourists are visiting it. I have met with business owners whose livelihood has been ruined. A focused response is required for the small businesses in the north".
The Comptroller emphasized that "These challenges require immediate organization by all the government ministries and the relevant ministers. The Ministers of Interior, Finance and Tourism must come and formulate plans for immediate assistance for Zefat".
From Zefat the State Comptroller continued to Karmiel, which was hit with more than 150 missiles in the last two months. 17 of the city's residents have been killed since the outbreak of the war – including seven who were murdered at the Nova party.
Mayor Moshe Kuninsky presented to the Comptroller the protection gaps and, as a result, the restrictions in force in holding studies in the educational system at this time.
Karmiel has hit with more than 150 missiles during the last two months. Comptroller Englman visited a building which had been hit by a rocket about two weeks ago and the new municipal war room which is currently being established.
The Comptroller said that "The government must also address residents who have not been evacuated in the localities under fire in the north and formulate immediate solutions for them. It is inconceivable that authorities in the north have not received the government assistance required at this time of emergency".
"The Office of the Ombudsman in my office operates a hotline at the service of the residents of the north who require assistance vis-à-vis the public bodies during the state of emergency", summarized the Comptroller. "I am calling upon the residents to avail themselves of the Office of the Ombudsman in order to take full advantage of their rights".
The hotline operates Sunday to Thursday from 08:00 to 18:00, at the number: 02-6665199, and on WhatsApp: 052-3995422
