Israeli government faces fury over wildfire failures amid Gaza war distractions

• Wildfires in Israel have burned over 5,000 acres near Jerusalem, sparking public anger over the government’s lack of preparedness despite years of warnings.
• Experts say Israel’s firefighting resources are critically underfunded, with past recommendations ignored, including a rejected plan for firefighting helicopters.
• Netanyahu’s son Yair falsely blamed left-wing activists and Palestinians for arson, deepening political divisions amid the crisis.
• International aid has been requested as firefighters struggle to contain the flames, with critics accusing the government of prioritizing military spending over domestic safety.
• The disaster highlights systemic neglect, with officials trading blame while citizens question why Israel remains unprepared for environmental emergencies.

As wildfires rage across Israel for a second day, scorching over 5,000 acres near Jerusalem, public outrage is mounting over the government’s failure to prepare for the disaster despite years of warnings. The crisis has exposed deep political divisions, with officials scrambling to assign blame while critics accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration of neglecting firefighting resources in favor of its military campaign in Gaza.

The Jewish National Fund (JNF) called the blaze one of the worst in Israel’s history, forcing evacuations, road closures, and international aid requests. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s son, Yair, sparked controversy by baselessly blaming left-wing activists and Palestinians for arson, further inflaming tensions in a nation already divided by war and political dysfunction.

A preventable disaster?

For years, experts warned that Israel’s firefighting capabilities were dangerously inadequate. In 2010, a deadly Carmel Forest fire killed 44 people, yet Netanyahu blocked a full state inquiry. A subsequent comptroller’s report revealed severe shortages: Israel had a quarter of the firefighters and a tenth of the fire retardant materials compared to similarly sized nations.

Despite these warnings, little changed. Tomer Lotan, former director general of the public security ministry, revealed that a 2022 plan to purchase Black Hawk helicopters for firefighting was scrapped by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. “There’s no clearer example of the irresponsibility and danger of appointing Ben Gvir as minister,” Lotan said. Police sources told Haaretz that the helicopters could have helped contain the current disaster.

Political blame game heats up

As flames spread, Netanyahu claimed 18 arson arrests — a figure disputed by police, who confirmed only three. His son Yair stoked division on social media, writing, “I really hope the arson was only carried out by Arabs, without any collaboration from our own people.” Critics dismissed the claims as inflammatory, noting no evidence links the fires to organized arson.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Climate Forum accused Netanyahu of ignoring their March plea for emergency wildfire preparations. “We tried to get his attention,” said forum head Dov Khenin. “The prime minister did not make an effort to assemble the discussion.”

International aid and ongoing dangers

With local resources overwhelmed, Israel sought help from Greece, Italy, and Croatia, deploying eight firefighting planes. More than 150 ground crews and 12 aircraft battled the flames, but high winds and dry conditions hampered efforts. At least 23 people were treated for smoke inhalation, and 17 firefighters injured.

The disaster has reignited debates about Israel’s priorities. While the government funnels resources into its Gaza offensive, critics argue it has neglected domestic crises. “Decision-makers reacted with indifference,” said Dov Ganem, chairman of the Israel Fire and Air Rescue Association, who warned of fire risks for 18 years.

Israel’s wildfires are more than a natural disaster; they’re a symptom of systemic neglect. As politicians trade blame, the public is left questioning why a nation with one of the world’s most advanced militaries remains unprepared for environmental emergencies. In cases like this, the government’s failure to act could have deadly consequences.

For now, the flames near Jerusalem serve as a sobering reminder that while Israel wages war abroad, its own land burns unchecked.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

AlJazeera.com

TimesOfIsrael.com

CNN.com