Numerous charedi families residing in Bnei Brak, Yerushalayim, Beit Shemesh, Modi’in Illit, and Beitar Illit endured a Shabbos without electricity amid scorching heat.
This is not an isolated incident, as power outages have been recurrent in charedi areas, occurring either close to or during Shabbos. Some locations have experienced multiple outages, with prolonged periods of electricity absence during the hottest hours of the day.
Despite assurances from the Israel Electric Company to address the issue, it appears that the problem persists and requires intervention from the government.
MK Moshe Roth (UTJ) raised concern from the Knesset podium on Sunday, questioning why these issues keep recurring, even after discussions in the Economy Committee, without any resolution. He wondered if the charedi community is being discriminated against, as the power outages seemed to predominantly affect their areas.
“How does this happen again and again even though the issues have already been discussed in the Economy Committee and no one is taking care of it? Could it be that the haredi public is being discriminated against, and that is why the power outages specifically affected charedi areas and neighborhoods?” he asked, according to an Arutz Sheva reports.
Roth empathized with families who endured up to 30 hours without electricity in extreme heat, highlighting the potential life-threatening situations for elderly and young children deprived of proper cooling during a heatwave.
“It’s alarming that the power outages solely impacted charedi cities, and yet, this matter is being overlooked. The extensive damage to the charedi public does not seem to gain attention or concern,” said MK Roth.
“After all, there is a danger to lives here, and there may be serious cases of life-threatening situations for older people or toddlers without proper air conditioning in a heat wave.”
MK Roth urged comprehensive measures to ensure such mistakes do not recur in the future within the State of Israel.
{Matzav.com Israel}