This policy paper examines the issue of access to residential safe rooms (known as "mamad" in Israel). An analysis of data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals a troubling reality: economic disparities play a decisive role in determining access to protected spaces.
Only 26% of households in the lowest income decile have immediate access to a residential safe room, compared to 59% of households in the top decile. This gap highlights how wealth inequality directly impacts physical security during emergencies.
Moreover, the geographic distribution of safe rooms does not always align with the population's security needs. Residents facing higher risk levels in many areas lack adequate access to protective spaces.
In Israel, immediate access to a safe room is not a luxury—it is an essential need. Therefore, safe rooms must be recognized as a basic necessity for every household, regardless of financial status. Ensuring universal access is both a security imperative and a social responsibility.