The Jewish National Fund said Monday that the forest and brush fires that did extensive damage in Israel during last week’s heat wave were mainly the result of human negligence.
Soldiers and farmers were the chief culprits, according to JNF officials. At least two of the fires were caused by Israel Defense Force training exercises. In one case, flares misfired during a paratroop drill, the officials said.
The JNF offered its critique during a firefighting exercise to test the preparedness of its own brigades for the summer season, when forest fires are a serious threat.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
