The State of Israel is woefully unprepared for the possibility of being struck by a natural disaster such as a major earthquake, former State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss warned Knesset members Tuesday.
Lindenstrauss, a retired judge, pointed out that the government has not taken action on recommendations made by his predecessor in the Comptroller's office following an earthquake in 2004.
Israel is usually one of the first countries to offer assistance to other nations when they are hit with natural disasters – and has been praised repeatedly for the speed and efficiency of its response.
The former Comptroller raised the matter with lawmakers at a special meeting on Tuesday with the Knesset State Control Committee. He noted that the issues raised in the report published by his predecessor, and subsequently by him, remain valid today.
He added that the issue is becoming increasingly important in the state, not only because both Haiti and Chile were recently hit with devastating temblors, but also due to predictions that an earthquake in Israel could endanger tens of thousands.
Many buildings in the State of Israel, which is located along the Syrian-African fault, were built in the 1960s, at a time when construction codes were not as strict as they are now. Even then, however, it was noted in the inspection reports that there was a need to protect hospitals against the possibility of earthquakes. However, no funds were allocated for the purpose.