Israel adopts emergency rules to safeguard disabled citizens during crises

In response to the challenges exposed by the Oct. 7 attacks, Defense Minister Israel Katz signed a set of emergency regulations on Sept. 23 to protect people with disabilities. Developed by the Defense Ministry’s National Emergency Management Authority together with multiple ministries and civil-society groups, the rules establish standards for accessible bomb shelters, evacuation protocols, uninterrupted health services, a centralized information system and the provision of essential supplies to those who remain at home.

Advocates such as Shira Reifman of Keren Or and Yuval Wagner of Access Israel praised the initiative but stressed the need for sufficient funding and staffing. Access Israel’s Purple Vest program, which has already coordinated thousands of accessible evacuations, will play a key role in applying the new measures. The regulations aim to ensure that disabled Israelis receive necessary assistance in future wars, natural disasters or other crises, pending successful on-the-ground rollout.