The strong earthquakes in Turkey that were also felt in Israel are a reminder and a wake-up call for what awaits us in Israel. In my estimation, based on past experience, the earthquakes in Turkey will claim tens of thousands of lives. This is due to the strength of the earthquake, the short distance from large population centers, and the quality of the construction. Although the quality of construction in Israel is much better than in Turkey, Turkey is a large country that can take care of itself in one disaster-stricken area, whereas in our country, if the epicenter is not far from the center of the country, most of the country will be affected by this mass-casualty event.
The reference scenario in the State of Israel predicts thousands of deaths, hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes, and significant damage to many infrastructures. The State of Israel is not doing enough to prepare for such an event. We must strengthen many buildings, especially public buildings, educate the population to prepare for the event, and understand that it will be very difficult to treat all the victims at the same time. We will be forced to take care of ourselves within communities. But the problem, perhaps the main one, is that there is not a single entity in the State of Israel with the authority, responsibility, and appropriate budgets to prepare for and tend to the country after a strong earthquake.
If only the incident in Turkey would teach us a lesson before such an earthquake happens and not just afterward. Past experience shows that committees will meet, soothing words will be said, and nothing will happen. Hopefully I will be proven wrong. I advise all the decision makers in the State of Israel to closely follow what is happening in Turkey now and the near future. This is a promo and a script for what might happen to us. This is a significant threat to the national security of the State of Israel.
The strong earthquakes in Turkey that were also felt in Israel are a reminder and a wake-up call for what awaits us in Israel. In my estimation, based on past experience, the earthquakes in Turkey will claim tens of thousands of lives. This is due to the strength of the earthquake, the short distance from large population centers, and the quality of the construction. Although the quality of construction in Israel is much better than in Turkey, Turkey is a large country that can take care of itself in one disaster-stricken area, whereas in our country, if the epicenter is not far from the center of the country, most of the country will be affected by this mass-casualty event.
The reference scenario in the State of Israel predicts thousands of deaths, hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes, and significant damage to many infrastructures. The State of Israel is not doing enough to prepare for such an event. We must strengthen many buildings, especially public buildings, educate the population to prepare for the event, and understand that it will be very difficult to treat all the victims at the same time. We will be forced to take care of ourselves within communities. But the problem, perhaps the main one, is that there is not a single entity in the State of Israel with the authority, responsibility, and appropriate budgets to prepare for and tend to the country after a strong earthquake.
If only the incident in Turkey would teach us a lesson before such an earthquake happens and not just afterward. Past experience shows that committees will meet, soothing words will be said, and nothing will happen. Hopefully I will be proven wrong. I advise all the decision makers in the State of Israel to closely follow what is happening in Turkey now and the near future. This is a promo and a script for what might happen to us. This is a significant threat to the national security of the State of Israel.