News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) State Comptroller and Ombudsman Micha Lindenstrauss told the Knesset State Control Committee Tuesday that the government has done nothing to fortify Galilee hospitals since the end of the Second Lebanon War a year ago. Lindenstrauss, a former justice, said the government has announced it would fortify hospitals but has not carried out the work.

Haifa's Rambam Hospital director Prof. Rafi Bayer said the facility has obtained donations of nearly $25 million for reinforcing the facility but that the government has not allocated any money for the work. Last week, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told visiting American Jewish officials and media that the government has restored protection for northern Israeli residents.

National Union Knesset Member Zevulun Orlev declared he is considering requesting a state inquiry on government laxity.