Israel Matzav

State tells High Court no need to protect Ashkelon

In response to yet another Supreme Court petition, the State of Israel told the High Court of Justice on Sunday that there is no need for special rocket defenses in Ashkelon, and that Ashkelon - just a few kilometers from Gaza - is no more dangerous than Haifa, which was the subject of rocket attacks from Lebanon in the 2006 war (Hat Tip: Shy Guy).

The state on Sunday responded to a petition submitted to The High Court by a joint parents and municipality committee that demanded the protection of all educational institutions in Ashkelon against rocket attacks.

State representatives said that there is no justified rationale to protect Ashkelon any more than other cities that have been subject to rocket attacks in the past such as Haifa, Kiryat Gat, Yavne and Beersheba.

The state claimed that it has no obligation to protect Ashkelon and there is no reason to single the city out from the general policy that the government has already determined considering the protection of educational institutions.

The state also said that the inter-ministerial committee established by Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai is working very hard to protect the city of Ashkelon.

But the question is whether those other cities are adequately protected. If they are not, Ashkelon, which has been a frequent Hamas target over the last four years, is not adequately protected.

The picture is an Ashkelon school that was hit by a rocket in February 2009.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:21 AM