Abstract
The Iron Swords War, which began with a surprise attack on October 7, 2024, presented Israeli local authorities with severe, complex challenges in managing emergency and security situations while functioning under pressure and making quick decisions. A similar situation arose when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in early 2020, requiring local authorities to support and care for their residents. The pandemic put the role,responsibilities, powers, and abilities of local authorities with respect to addressing health issues and functioning during emergencies on the public agenda. The research question examines the effectiveness of local authorities as autonomous units in times of crisis, specifically studying the case of the Holon municipality as it dealt with theCOVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to October 2021. The findings indicate a gap between the high engagement of Holon’s municipal managers and their desire and ability to take numerous actions for the welfare of residents and to assist them during emergencies, and the low level of autonomy defined by legislation. The research findings suggest that the Holon municipality lacked the authority to determine which services it should provide and how to provide those services. Furthermore, the study reveals a patronizing attitude from government ministries toward local authorities;the local authority was treated as an executive branch of the government ministries.Additionally, the study shows that the Ministry of the Interior, which serves as the legal regulator for local authorities, did not guide local authorities during the period examined, and the Holon municipality operated according to instructions received from other government ministries instead. The study’s conclusions point to the need for a reevaluation of the power relations between government ministries and local authorities, as well as the importance of future research comparing different local authorities in Israel. Such research should examine the roles required of local authorities in emergencies, the level of autonomy needed, and the means and authorities necessary for implementation of the required tasks.
Translated title of the contribution | Local Authorities in Israel in Emergencies: A Case Study of the Holon Municipality during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
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Original language | Hebrew |
Pages (from-to) | *88-120* |
Journal | חוסן לאומי, פוליטיקה וחברה |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
State | Published - 2024 |
IHP Publications
- ihp
- Authority
- Autonomy (Psychology)
- COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-
- Holon (Israel)
- Local government