The government is expected to approve in the coming weeks a Homefront Defense Ministry program called "Guests Hotel" within the framework of plans for the evacuation of some 300,000 civilians from their homes during national emergencies. Such emergencies include strategic terror attacks and natural disasters like earthquakes. According to the plan, populations of cities in central and northern Israel that affected by such attacks or disasters will be evacuated to the south of Israel, around Eilat and the Arava region. The "Guests Hotel" program, which is set to be approved by the government this month, will provide the evacuees with an "absorption basket" granted by the hosting local council and funded by the state. It is based on the understanding that those who are forced to leave their home are in effect leaving everything behind and will therefore need "immediate funds." Each family that is evacuated will be given around 150 shekels ($39). The evacuees will be temporarily housed in schools, hotels, tents, caravans, and other places of accommodation. Other stipends will be given for transportation and children's school supplies. The Ministerial Committee for Homefront Affairs, headed by Homefront Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, is set to discuss and approve the program, which is estimated to cost the government hundreds of millions of shekels. The program also holds that during an emergency, if the government is unable to convene, a "senior commander in the field" will be charged with giving the evacuation order. The program focuses on providing a response to environmental disasters or hostile strategic attacks, but does not address evacuations caused by wars or rocket attacks. In the event of a rocket attack, citizens are instructed to stay at home within protected rooms or go to protected shelters, and not leave the area being attacked.
