Yishai on Carmel fire: Decisions made only after traumas

Ahead of report expected to hold him responsible for Carmel fire, interior minister says did not get adequate funding to improve firefighting services

Reuters | Published: 02.02.12, 18:21

"In the State of Israel decisions are reached only after traumas and (inquiry) commissions," Interior Minister Eli Yishai said Thursday ahead of a state comptroller report which is expected to hold him personally accountable for the devastating Carmel fire in 2010.

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Speaking at the dedication of a new fire station in Emek Ha'Ela, near Beit Shemesh, the Shas chairman said "when I arrived at the Interior Ministry three years ago I was shocked by the situation of the firefighting services, which were on the brink of collapse.

"I demanded NIS 600 million ($160M) to improve the firefighting services and we received only NIS 100 million ($27M). It's a shame that in the State of Israel decisions are made after traumas and committees," he said.

Yishai warned that the fear of inquiry commissions may affect cabinet ministers' ability to make "prudent" decisions.

Eli Peretz, the chief of the Jerusalem District Fire Department, said the new station was crucial as the area is within the range of rocket attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip.