Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern<\/a> sharply criticized the government\u2019s recent conduct, saying it has failed to aid the northern city.<\/p>\nStern made the remarks during a Wednesday meeting with local authority heads, which was posted in a video on social media.<\/p>\n
Kiryat Shmona ‘disappearing’ as war rages on<\/h3>\n The Kiryat Shmona mayor said he wakes up every morning feeling that \u201cthe State of Israel is fighting me \u2013 not Iran, not Lebanon, not the enemies \u2013 me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also warned that the city was \u201csimply disappearing.\u201d \u201cToday, about 10,000 residents remain. If this continues for another month, there will be ten left, only those who cannot leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding government funding, Stern said he has yet to see an increased budget for the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey say we received money and didn\u2019t know how to use it. What money has reached me? Everyone here knows the delays. There are decisions, but no money. You want to talk to me about resilience? Even resilience has limits,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The government decided not to evacuate northern residents during Operation Roaring Lion, despite Hezbollah\u2019s continued missile attacks on communities bordering Lebanon.<\/p>\n
Communities along the northern border were already severely affected following the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre and throughout the ensuing war. During that period, hundreds of thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes as the area came under sustained rocket fire.<\/p>\n
The area had not recovered from that earlier damage when Operation Roaring Lion began.<\/p>\n
Following the decision to allocate the funds, Netanyahu said, \u201cThe resilience of Israel\u2019s citizens, and of the residents of the North in particular, is inspiring. Beyond compensation for businesses and employees, we approved a significant addition for frontline communities and residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to assist in every way the communities that stand firm in this campaign, and we will continue to strike our enemies with force,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Smotrich said the government is strengthening the home front, reinforcing local authorities, and providing full backing to its citizens.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to act quickly, responsibly, and decisively to ensure that no one on the home front is left alone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile residents of Lebanon are evacuating, Israeli citizens remain in their homes and demonstrate determination and strength,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
At the start of Operation Roaring Lion, the government had approved an initial emergency grant for residents whose homes were damaged and deemed uninhabitable due to ongoing Iranian missile strikes.<\/p>\n
Residents whose homes sustained significant damage have been evacuated to government-funded hotels.<\/p>\n
Separately, a compensation framework for businesses impacted by the war was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Wednesday. It is expected to be submitted to the Knesset and brought for final readings in the coming days, the Finance Ministry said.<\/p>\n
Compensation framework for daycares announced<\/h3>\n A compensation framework for daycares affected by closures due to the war throughout March was also announced.<\/p>\n
The ministry said the framework guarantees compensation to affected daycare centers and kindergartens, enabling them to provide refunds to parents who already paid in advance for childcare in March.<\/p>\n
However, the ministry noted that the state cannot intervene in contracts between daycare centers and parents directly, and therefore cannot mandate refunds to parents. The framework still requires Knesset approval as well.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the 2026 state budget is set to be brought to the Knesset for its final readings in the coming days. The updated budget includes approximately NIS 32 billion in additional funding for the Defense Ministry, citing wartime expenses.<\/p>\n
The updated budget also led to a 3% across-the-board cut to all government ministries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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