Interior Ministry Official Details Emergency Preparedness and Housing Market Shifts

Israel's Ministry of Interior is preparing for a wide range of emergencies, including a major earthquake that could displace hundreds of thousands, according to Ministry Director-General Israel Ozen. Speaking in a broadcast, Ozen acknowledged the challenges of managing the ministry without a permanent minister, a situation he described as "challenging" but also allowing for more direct decision-making. He highlighted the critical role of local authorities in emergencies, a lesson learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that these bodies are best equipped to connect with citizens.

Ozen detailed the ministry's dual approach during wartime: reducing bureaucratic hurdles for local governments and providing budgetary support for extraordinary needs. He recalled instances during recent conflicts, including exchanges with Iran, where even strong municipalities reported being "on the verge of capability" due to the impact of missile strikes. Ozen noted that while significant hits were concentrated in the more resilient central Israel region, a wider distribution of strikes could have presented a far more severe national crisis.

The ministry is actively planning for a major earthquake scenario, anticipating that hundreds of thousands could be left homeless and require immediate assistance. This preparation considers both those whose homes are damaged and those who may fear returning to potentially unsafe structures, drawing parallels to self-evacuations seen during the recent war. A key difficulty identified is the potential inability to use hotels for shelter, as was done during the war.

Looking at the housing market, Ozen pointed to a significant shift with "crazy demand" emerging in cities outside the traditional Tel Aviv and central Israel hubs, such as Yeruham, Ofakim, and Netivot. He attributed this to factors like "agreements for the roof" (a government housing initiative), infrastructure investment, and increased budgets for local authorities, noting that the past year saw the largest equalization grant in the country's history. Ozen also addressed the common issue of new neighborhood development outpacing infrastructure creation, emphasizing the need for simultaneous development of schools, transportation, and municipal services to support housing growth and expand demand zones.