By SHEERA CLAIRE FRENKEL
MK Ephraim Sneh called the lack of protection on Israeli passenger planes a "grave security failure," and slammed former finance minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday for his cuts to the defense budget.
Sneh made the remarks as part of his findings as chairman on the Knesset Subcommittee for Security Preparations. Although Israel had been developing technology that would defend planes against weapons such as shoulder-launched missiles, said Sneh, funding to that program was cut.
Now, he added, Israel has been forced to spend millions buying the technology from other countries.
Sneh warned that Israel's military industries would be hurt, and thousands of workers would be laid off, if the budget cuts continue to be made in departments that are developing weapons.