Israel finally sets out legal obligations to protect disabled people in emergencies after 20-year delay

Israel’s welfare committee has approved new defence ministry regulations establishing the state’s legal duty to provide essential support for disabled people during emergency situations. The regulations include requirements to make new bomb shelters accessible to those with mobility issues and distribute personal alert devices to people with hearing impairments. The approval marks a significant step towards ensuring disabled Israelis are included in national emergency planning. The committee chair stated: “The message to people with disabilities is clear: you are part of society, you contribute and you matter to us — you are equal among equals.” Israel had committed to such protections two decades ago but had not previously embedded these obligations into binding regulations. The new rules represent formal recognition that emergency preparedness must account for the diverse needs of the entire population, not just the general public.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.