'This is the solution.' Netanyahu
Photo: Gil Yohanan
'No surprises expected.' Livni
Photo: Oz Meron
Livni: Netanyahu must resign over Carmel fire fiasco
Opposition leader claims PM's handling of deadly blaze became 'media performance'; says he hopes 'spin will prevail over truth.' Netanyahu: Law to create a nationwide firefighting force will be implemented within 10 days
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign over the state comptroller's scathing report concerning Israel's emergency fire and rescue services.
Speaking at a local councils' conference at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzilya on Wednesday, the Kadima chairwoman said, "I have no doubt that the prime minister wanted to deal with disaster and to do the utmost to stop the (Carmel) fire. But then, we saw the management of events becoming (an exercise in) public relations and a media performance.
Scathing Report
Prime minister postponed decision on improvement of fire services, Minister Yishai issued warnings but did nothing, Minister Steinitz demanded reforms but didn't transfer funds and Minister Barak also did nothing. Harsh report paints worrying picture on how government prepared to defend its citizens, states failures that led to deadly inferno result of 'improper administration, mainly with decision makers'
"In a functional country, one that Israel should be, the state comptroller's report would be enough for those responsible to pay the price. We call this price resignation, and the responsibility starts from the top," Livni said, adding "This is only part of a dramatic correction process that the system needs to undergo."
Livni also called for Interior Minister Eli Yishai's resignation. "Unfortunately, I know we will not be surprised and no one will resign," she said.
Netanyahu on US Supertanker firefighting plane (Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO)
Addressing the foreign assistance Israel received during the blaze, in which 42 people were killed and more than 17,000 people were evacuated from their homes, Livni said, "It is good that we turned (to the international community), but it's a disgrace that we've come to this.
"The prime minister is against a commission of inquiry because he hopes his spin will prevail over the truth. Our job is to bring the truth to light," she said.
Netanyahu, for his part, told the conference that within 10 days a law will be implemented to create a nationwide firefighting force.
The PM said that local authorities are not capable of managing the fire service and therefore a national force is required. This force, he said, should "initially consist of ground firefighters… What we also need is an aerial firefighting service. This is the solution to mega-forest fires."
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