"Adalah" warns of discrimination in the distribution of mobile shelters and demands a fair and comprehensive plan

SadaNews - The "Adalah" Center issued an urgent message to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Security, the Home Front Command, and the relevant legal authorities, calling for a fair distribution of mobile shelters in various towns. This follows a government decision made on March 16, 2026, that allocates budgets to deploy hundreds of shelters to enhance the preparedness of the home front.

The center explained that this step raises serious concerns about the repetition of existing discrimination patterns in the distribution of protective means, especially in light of data indicating significant gaps between Arab towns and their Jewish counterparts.

It pointed out that the lack of public shelters and fortified rooms in Arab towns directly reflects the high rates of injury and losses during escalation periods.

"Adalah" indicated that these gaps are a result of many years of neglect, as the percentage of public shelters in Arab local authorities is very minimal compared to others, while hundreds of thousands of citizens, especially in unrecognized villages in the Negev, live without any effective means of protection despite facing direct risks from bombardment.

The center emphasized in its message the necessity of considering these data when making decisions regarding the distribution of mobile shelters, warning that ignoring them will exacerbate discrimination and harm the rights of citizens to equality and security.

It also affirmed that the state is obligated to ensure the right to life and physical safety for all citizens without discrimination, considering that the continued lack of adequate protection for Arab towns constitutes a serious violation of these rights.

In conclusion, "Adalah" called for a clear prioritization of Arab towns within any plan for the deployment of protective means and for the preparation of a comprehensive and immediate program to address existing gaps, along with the transparent publication of shelter distribution criteria to ensure public oversight and prevent any discriminatory decisions.