Knesset Approves Shas Legislation to Enhance and Enlarge Residential Bomb Shelters

A measure put forth by the Shas party, aimed at expanding and upgrading bomb shelters within homes, successfully passed its second and third readings in the Knesset today. The vote concluded with 13 members in favor, despite the party having announced its departure from the governing coalition earlier on the same day.

This new legislation, championed by Shas Member of Knesset Erez Malul, amends the existing national building code. The revised code will now mandate larger in-home shelters, known as “mamads,” and will permit the installation of toilets and plumbing fixtures, thereby making these shelters “more suitable for extended stays during emergencies.”

Support for this bill significantly increased following the 12-day conflict with Iran in June, an event that compelled numerous Israelis to seek refuge in saferooms for considerable periods amidst intense missile attacks. Under the current regulations, most mamads are characterized by their confined space, inadequate ventilation, and absence of running water, which complicates prolonged occupancy.

Shas chairman Rabbi Aryeh Deri initially unveiled plans for this legislative initiative in June, asserting that the standards for reinforced rooms in residential buildings must “adapt to the current security reality.”

“This is an urgent and necessary need,” Deri commented at the time. “This law will assist millions of citizens who are compelled to spend extensive time in protected areas, and it will guarantee adequate and safe conditions for every family in Israel.”