Israel Approves Emergency Regulations for People with Disabilities
Defense Minister Israel Katz signed emergency regulations on Tuesday that formalize the state's responsibility for people with disabilities during emergencies. The regulations were approved by a Knesset committee two months ago but faced delays in final signing due to a lack of identified budget sources for their implementation.
The new regulations, which address the essential needs of individuals with disabilities in emergencies, were passed by the Knesset twenty years after the initial commitment was made. For decades, tens of thousands of people with disabilities lacked access to protected spaces and support systems, often without a clear point of contact in local authorities for assistance.
Recent escalations in conflict intensified public pressure to enact these regulations, aiming to clarify the state's obligations to disabled and elderly citizens who remain in their homes without adequate protection during air raid sirens. The approved measures mandate that new public shelters must be accessible and require the state to provide information and instructions to people with disabilities in an accessible manner, equivalent to the general population.
The regulations also cover the provision of essential supplies like water, food, and medication for individuals with disabilities during emergencies. Initial disagreements over the budget for community support personnel, who are tasked with contacting vulnerable individuals during crises, were resolved. It was decided that National Civic Service volunteers will fulfill this role after receiving training developed jointly by the National Civic Service Authority, the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Defense, and the Federation of Local Authorities.
Disability rights organizations, including "B'Zchut," "ILAN," and "ALUT," had recently urged Minister Katz to sign the regulations, highlighting that without tailored solutions, people with disabilities and their caregivers are left unprotected and unable to meet basic needs during emergencies. They called for immediate signing to ensure these vital provisions are in place for the next emergency.
