President Isaac Herzog stated Wednesday that the wildfire that destroyed 30 homes in the Samaria community of Havat Gilad was caused by the climate crisis, and that the state has officially recognized the fire as an arson attack. The remarks come amid conflicting assessments by security officials about the fire's origin over the past week.
President Isaac Herzog addressed the Havat Gilad wildfire on Wednesday, attributing the blaze to the climate crisis and confirming that the state has officially designated it as an arson attack. The fire, which swept through the Samaria community on July 19, destroyed 30 buildings and left five people lightly injured. The recognition as a hostile act enables residents to file for compensation.
The background to the fire has been subject to evolving assessments. Earlier reports indicated arson with a nationalist motive, but security officials later concluded it was not nationalist arson, leading the Shin Bet to withdraw from the investigation. Police subsequently clarified that the legal definition of arson can include unintentional acts.
Herzog's statement marks the first time the president has weighed in publicly on the cause, and it aligns the state's official recognition with the climate crisis framing. The Samaria Regional Council has previously announced that the community would be rebuilt.
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