State Comptroller Joseph Shapira is expected to examine the failures in the distribution of gas masks to the public as part of the past week's preparations for a possible American attack on Syria ,Ynet has learned.
Shapira will examine the disorder and exceptionally long lines at the distribution points following complaints that were posted on his office's Facebook page, including some by foreign caretakers who were unable to obtain an ABC kit.
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The comptroller's office has examined the home front's preparedness several times over the past few years. The most recent report published by Shapira about a month ago said there were not enough gas masks to provide for all segments of the population, in violation of a government decision which determined that all people residing in Israel must be protected.
- Waiting in line for gas masks (Photo: AFP)
The comptroller's report from 2008 said that in November 2007, only 38% of the population had proper gas masks. Currently only 40% of the people residing in Israel have gas masks, despite the Knesset 'sdecision from 2009 to "equip 100% of Israeli citizens with gas masks within two and a half years."
The Home Front Command said a year and a half ago that a "significant gap exists in the scope of protective masks for citizens that does not allow for an operational response when an incident occurs. This gap is critical and hurts the State of Israel's preparedness for unconventional scenarios."