Report Reveals Widespread Lack of Civilian Shelters in Israeli Periphery
A recent report highlights a significant deficiency in physical protection for approximately 3.2 million Israelis, or 33.6% of the population, as of January 2025. This lack of adequate shelters is particularly acute in communities near the Syrian and Lebanese borders, where about 42,000 residents lack proper protection, and in areas within 7-20 kilometers of the Gaza Strip, affecting another 42,575 people. The report indicates that this deficit has worsened over time, with protection gaps widening by approximately 5.6% since 2018.
The analysis reveals a strong correlation between the absence of adequate shelter, geographical remoteness from major population centers, and lower socioeconomic status. Residents in more peripheral areas and those with lower incomes are disproportionately affected. This situation is framed as a paradox, given that right-wing governments, often elected by these very populations, advocate for strong security measures and military action.
The article points to specific cities like Ashkelon, Sderot, Netivot, and Kiryat Shmona as examples where protection gaps are substantial. In Ashkelon, a heavily targeted city, around 31% of residents lack adequate shelter, and many public shelters are unusable. Similarly, in Safed and Kiryat Shmona, a significant portion of residents are without proper shelters, leading to a petition for temporary evacuation from Kiryat Shmona.
The author argues that this neglect of civilian protection, especially for vulnerable populations in the periphery, undermines the legitimacy of the state. The article suggests that this issue is intertwined with a history of governmental policies that have historically marginalized and directed populations to peripheral areas, contributing to a system of political clientelism where public resources are allocated based on political loyalty rather than civic rights.
Despite the ongoing security challenges, including over 27,000 rockets and drones fired at Israel between October 2023 and November 2024, the issue of civilian protection in these areas does not appear to be a central political concern for many residents. The article concludes that without a fundamental shift in policy, the patterns of political support in these peripheral areas, often characterized by clientelism, are likely to persist.
