The Israeli government made a decision of paramount national importance earlier this month, determining that the Ministry of Religious Services will henceforth be defined as the body primarily responsible for handling civilian spaces in times of emergency.
This decision, which constitutes a significant strategic step, is based on a previous government decision from 2016 to transfer the issue of burials to the Ministry of Religious Services.
Now, at the request of Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, in coordination with Religious Services Minister Michael Malchieli, it has been decided to transfer all handling of casualties, including handling of mass casualty incidents (MCAs), to the Ministry of Religious Services.
This move is intended to ensure a professional, sensitive, and respectful national response in the most difficult moments.
The decision was made as part of the lessons of the 'Iron Swords' war, which revealed a critical need to regulate the systemic treatment of civilian spaces. The Ministry of Religious Services, which was praised for its professional performance during 'Iron Swords' and Operation 'Am Kalavi' - in its ability to treat spaces and ensure a high level of functional continuity in all religious services, has now been appointed to lead the national system.
It should be noted that the Minister of the Interior, Moshe Arbel, who deemed this arrangement necessary, worked to transfer overall responsibility for handling the spaces to the Ministry of Religious Services, in coordination with the Minister of Religious Services.
The ministry's director general, Yehuda Avidan, will head an inter-ministerial team tasked with formulating a comprehensive national action plan that will regulate the procedures, division of responsibilities, and early preparation.
A review of the main points of the decision reveals that the Ministry of Religious Services is defined as the main authority responsible for handling civilian spaces in times of emergency. An inter-ministerial team headed by the director general of the ministry will be established to formulate a national action plan. The move is based on the lessons of the 'Iron Swords' war and the need for professional regulation of the issue of spaces, led by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel.
The ministry will continue to lead all religious services in Israel with full functional continuity, even under emergency conditions.
Minister of Religious Services, Michael Malchieli: "This decision is a recognition of the great professionalism of the Ministry of Religious Services and its central role in preserving the dignity of the deceased and providing a solution to families in their difficult time. This is a new concept that stems from an understanding of the Iron Sword War, in which the Ministry proved itself to be a leading body in the field of care for the remains.".
Director General of the Ministry of Religious Services Yehuda Avidan: "This is a government decision that expresses confidence in the Ministry of Religious Services and in the unique role it plays, and that it will be able to meet this sacred mission. We will lead a professional process, in cooperation with all relevant parties, to ensure that the State of Israel is optimally prepared for any scenario - out of responsibility, sensitivity and a deep value for human dignity.""
The Ministry of Religious Services welcomes the decision and sees it as an opportunity to strengthen the national emergency response system, while integrating professional tools, regulated procedures, and advanced technologies that will ensure effective and dignified treatment, even under the most difficult conditions.
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