Deficiencies in staffing processes at the Defense Ministry, a lack of bids for contracts with defense-industry company Rafael, severe shortcomings in the oversight of construction operations in the West Bank area (which have a wide effect), in both the Jewish and Palestinian sectors: These are just some of the problems highlighted by State Comptroller Joseph Shapira in his report of the Israeli defense apparatus, published Monday. The report included an additional section on nuclear energy affairs, which could not be published.

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The section that deals with illegal construction states that the data from oversight computer systems as well as end-of-year reports indicate that most of the illegal construction projects found in the 2008-2013 period have not been demolished. The Comptroller stated that the low enforcement rate against these cases of illegal construction inflicts severe harm to the rule of law, as well as to equality before the law. He added that it also raised concerns about damage to the state's deterrence against construction lawbreakers in general, and in the West Bank particularly.

State Comptroller Joseph Shapira. (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The Comptroller further found that the Civil Administration was not conducting oversight and enforcement activities in areas with approved construction outlines. The Civil Administration does not conduct long-term oversight on Israeli construction projects that are part of an approved outline, and does not oversee and enforce laws in regard to many homes that were built illegally in several different Israeli towns in the West Bank. Some of these homes were built on privately-owned land without permits or approved outlines.

The Comptroller examined how Rafael (a government-owned Israeli defense technology company) handed out contracts. The company issues about 400 of these contracts a year, with a cost of over NIS 80 million. The Comptroller stated that Rafael did not consistently make sure to operate by fair competitive practices. According to the report, Rafael had a loose attitude on regulations about bids and contracts – regulations that the company itself had put in place.

Rafael. Deficiencies in contract handling. (Photo: George Ginsburg)

The Defense Ministry was found to have deficiencies with its hiring procedures, although some deficiencies found in previous inspections were corrected. The way government authorities inspect and oversee these procedures.

The Defense Ministry said in response, "The Ministry of Defense operates in a number of ways in order to pick and recruit the most experienced and fitting professionals for the senior core positions at the Ministry, while making sure to give extra care to civil service regulations. All of the candidates mentioned in the report have proven, wide, varied, professional and command experience, and were approved by the Civil Service Commission."