Half of Israeli Households Lack Protected Spaces, Jerusalem Has Lowest Shelter Access

New data from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reveals that only half of Israeli households have a reinforced security room (mamad), while 15% lack any accessible protected space such as a mamad, shelter, or safe room near their homes. The 2025 Social Survey highlights significant regional disparities in shelter availability across the country.

In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv districts, only 39% of households have a mamad, compared to 61% in the Central district and 66% in Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria. Among cities with populations over 200,000, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Yafo, and Haifa have less than 40% of households with a mamad, whereas cities like Rishon LeZion and Petah Tikva exceed 50%.

Regarding alternative shelters, 35% of all households have access to a safe room or public shelter, mostly among the 69% without a mamad. In Tel Aviv district, 51% have such access, but in other districts, less than half do. Overall, 85% of Israeli households have some form of protective space, leaving 15% without any nearby shelter option.

Jerusalem ranks lowest in shelter availability, with about a quarter of households lacking both mamad and other shelters, resulting in only 69% having any form of protection. In contrast, Bnei Brak has over 80% of households with shelter access, mainly due to 63% having a public shelter, though CBS notes some data reliability concerns for Bnei Brak.

The survey also exposes a stark divide between Jewish and Arab households. Among Jewish households, 53% have a mamad, and 80% of those without one have access to other shelters, totaling 91% with some protection. Among Arab households, only 36% have a mamad, and just 28% of those without one have other shelter access, leaving only 54% with any protective space near home.

These findings underscore ongoing challenges in civil defense infrastructure across Israel, especially in Jerusalem and among Arab communities, highlighting areas for potential improvement in public safety measures.