Beyond missiles: Why Israel’s civilian infrastructure needs stronger defenses – editorial

An editorial in The Jerusalem Post argues that Israel's civilian infrastructure requires stronger defenses, treating water, electricity, food, and shelters as national security matters. This call follows an incident where five major Mediterranean desalination plants went offline due to high seawater turbidity, exposing vulnerabilities despite household water supplies being maintained. The article highlights that Israel's reliance on a few large facilities for critical resources, coupled with fragmented emergency planning across ministries, poses significant risks. Recent State Comptroller's Reports have identified weaknesses in protected spaces, electricity sector planning, emergency food security, and civilian evacuation protocols. While some government bodies have taken steps, the editorial emphasizes the need for comprehensive, coordinated preparedness, stating that "civilians cannot live beneath Iron Dome alone." It urges political parties to address these deficiencies, assign clear responsibilities, and outline corrective actions ahead of the upcoming election, asserting that Israel's strength is also measured by its ability to sustain ordinary life under pressure.