Israel’s State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman revealed that he submitted a “highly classified” report ahead of the ongoing war with Iran that warned of gaps in Israel’s air defenses during a Sunday tour of Iranian missile impact sites in southern Israel.
Englman, visiting missile impact sites in Arad and Dimona, revealed that he submitted the report to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF chief Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, following Operation Rising Lion in June of last year.
“They must address the issues raised in the report,” Englman said. “The government must prepare a nationwide fortification plan, with an emphasis on the periphery. The protection gaps in the periphery stem from a lack of economic incentive for contractors.”
Dimona Mayor Beni Biton and Arad Mayor Yair Maayan accompanied Englman on his assessment of the damage in the southern Israeli cities, during which the three spoke with local residents affected by the missile strikes.
Englman: 'A matter of life and death'
“We completed a confidential, fully classified report on air defense following Operation Rising Lion,” Englman said during the tour. “The report was placed on the desks of the prime minister, defense minister, and IDF chief of staff even before the war broke out. Despite the tremendous efforts of the IDF, there were places we were unable to protect. I call on the leadership: draw conclusions now. This is a matter of life and death.”
Englman added that National Outline Plan 38, known as TAMA 38, a plan that sought to reinforce existing structures against earthquakes and, as a side benefit, provide extra protection against security threats like rockets, was not relevant to more rural areas, such as localities in the Negev.
The plan was designed to upgrade the buildings through market-based incentives rather than direct government funding.
“In cities like Dimona and Arad, land values are low, so contractors have no motivation to carry out protection and Tama projects,” Englman continued.
“The state cannot abandon the periphery to the mercy of the market. Without a budgeted, well-organized state plan, the cities of the South will remain exposed. We saw the painful results of these protection gaps tonight, and it is the government's moral obligation to provide an immediate response."