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Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Shas bill to enlarge, upgrade in-home bomb shelters approved by Knesset
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
A Shas-sponsored bill to expand and upgrade in-home bomb shelters (mamads) passes into law after its second and third readings in the Knesset today, with 13 votes in favor, even as the ultra-Orthodox party announced it was leaving the governing coalition earlier today.
The legislation, introduced by Shas MK Erez Malul, would amend the national building code to make mamads larger and permit the installation of toilets and other plumbing inside them, making them more “suitable for extended stays during emergencies.”
The measure gained traction following the 12-day war with Iran in June, which saw many Israelis sheltering in their saferooms for extended periods amid intense missile barrages. Under current standards, most mamads are compact, with poor ventilation and without running water, making long stays difficult.
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri first announced in June that his party would advance legislation changing building standards for reinforced saferooms in residential apartments to “adapt them to the current security reality.”
“This is an urgent and necessary need,” Deri said at the time. “This law will help millions of citizens who are forced to spend a long time in protected areas, and will ensure adequate and safe conditions for every family in Israel.”
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