The Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee, headed by MK Zvi Sukkot, held today (Sunday) the first discussion of its kind on the state's preparations for Israeli participation in mass cultural and sports events abroad, led by the trip of tens of thousands of Israelis to Uman on Rosh Hashanah.
The discussion was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Sports, Justice, the National Security Council, as well as representatives from the Breslov Hasidic community, who presented a series of gaps in the government's handling of large-scale events outside of Israel.
Levi Yitzhak Gvirtz, a representative of the 'Breslav Union', called on the representatives of the government ministries in the discussion to take responsibility: "We need a system that will also operate in aspects of the consular and diplomatic system. In our view, the state is always remembered at the last minute, and if it weren't for proactive requests from us, we wouldn't even have the basis that exists today.".
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
The committee chairman, MK Zvi Sukkot, warned during the discussion: "This is a large and significant event, which currently does not have an organized response from state bodies. There are gaps in aspects of public order, consular services, medical assistance, and inter-ministerial coordination. The discussion clearly shows that there is no single government body that coordinates and manages such events in an organized manner - and the state must fix this.".
MK Sukkot called on the government to promote the establishment of a permanent inter-ministerial body that will comprehensively handle mass events involving Israelis abroad, and ensure early and coordinated preparation.
Representatives of government ministries presented their existing activities, including operating a consular office in Uman, coordinating with local security agencies, issuing travel warnings, and preparing for sporting and cultural events abroad.
Alongside this, public representatives emphasized that the state tends to act too late, and that without pressure and proactive inquiries, only a basic response would have been provided.
During the discussion, the urgent need arose to provide a comprehensive response to issues of personal security, medicine, borders, diplomacy, and consular services, for events attended by tens of thousands of Israelis, representing a broad spectrum of the Israeli public.
The committee chairman concluded that the discussion is a first step in formulating a clear and responsible policy, and that the committee will continue to monitor the implementation of the conclusions and formulate operational recommendations for the government.
