Energy minister said to rebuke official for warning power grid not readied for major war

Energy Minister Eli Cohen and the director-general of his ministry have rebuked the head of the state firm that manages Israel’s power grid for publicly warning that sufficient steps haven’t been taken to protect the national electricity system if a major war erupts, according to Channel 12 news.

Shaul Goldstein, the head of Noga, reportedly responded that he was tired and a little sick when he made the remarks earlier today and had no issue with putting out a clarification.

In his remarks, Goldstein said Israel was “not in a good situation” and that “we are not preparing for a real war.”

“We are living in a fantasy world in my opinion,” he added. “We are completely exposed, particularly against the threat of drones.”

Goldstein also warned that in the case of a blackout lasting more than 72 hours, “it will be practically impossible to live here.”

“You don’t understand how much our lives depend on electricity.”