On Tuesday, the National Planning and Building Council, chaired by Rabbi Natan Elnatan, is expected to approve a measure that will immediately make thousands of apartments with completed protected spaces available for occupancy. Arbel: “This is another step toward closing protection gaps and safeguarding human lives.”

By Nimrod Buso, Nadlan Center

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel has instructed local licensing authorities to issue final Occupancy Authorization Forms (Tofes 4) for residential buildings that include protected spaces (either private safe rooms or communal bomb shelters), even if all of the conditions specified in the licensing regulations have not yet been fulfilled. The goal is to rapidly populate as many apartments with protected spaces as possible.

Following the directive, the National Planning and Building Council, chaired by Rabbi Natan Elnatan, is expected to convene a meeting at 2:00 PM on Tuesday to approve an emergency order proposing that licensing authorities issue final Occupancy Authorization Forms for new residential buildings with protected spaces that are up to code, even if not all the other conditions usually required for a completion certificate have been met. This would apply to thousands of housing units with protected spaces that are up to code.

A statement from Arbel’s office emphasized that due to the urgent need to close protection gaps and ensure that civilians have access to proper protected spaces, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel directed the National Council to convene and approve the emergency order.

It is important to note that under current regulations, a local licensing authority already has the discretion to issue an Occupancy Authorization Form, even if all permit conditions have not been fulfilled at the time of application. The proposed decision would convert this discretion into an obligation. Planning officials stressed that approval would be granted only for buildings that are fit for use, connected to infrastructure, and compliant with safety standards for the structure and its occupants.

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel stated: “Alongside the mission of neutralizing threats, we must make sure that as many secure and protected spaces are available as possible, especially during these complex times. The decision to promote the rapid occupancy of new apartments with protected spaces that are up to code is another step toward closing protection gaps and, first and foremost, saving lives. We will continue to act with determination to prioritize the security needs of our residents.”