Building council calls on Interior Ministry to reject request to rebuild Haifa oil refinery

By Sue Surkes

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9 July 2025, 9:37 pm

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Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporter

Damage at the Bazan Group's oil refinery in Haifa Bay, northern Israel, after it was hit by an Iranian missile between June 15-16, 2025. (Used in accordance with clause 27a of the copyright law)

The National Planning and Building Council calls on the Interior Minister to reject a request by the Bazan oil refinery in the northern city of Haifa to build a new power plant without a building permit.

The council proposes an examination of the alternatives and their respective environmental implications in cooperation with the Haifa Municipality and the Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection.

The existing power station was badly damaged in an Iranian missile attack last month, along with other structures such as pipes and transmission lines.

On Monday evening — two days before the National Planning and Building Council was set to hold a discussion — the Interior Ministry posted a draft order for public comment on its website proposing to exempt the company from the need for a building permit.

The Haifa Municipality, the Haifa Bay Cities Association for Environmental Protection and other green groups immediately protested.

Residents, environmental activists and others have pressed for years to have the Bazan compound closed and the materials it produces imported, due to the heavy pollution it causes in Haifa and its surroundings; a reportedly high prevalence of cancer and asthma; and fears of a missile attack, which materialized during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran last month. Two missiles hit the compound. One caused a fire that killed three workers.

Three years ago, the cabinet decided to shut down the refineries and related oil storage complex by 2030 and instead import the materials they produce, known as distillates. A Directorate for the Development of Haifa Bay was established within the Prime Minister’s Office to undertake this task and plan the transformation of Haifa Bay from a polluted industrial area into a green residential and tech hub.

The council agrees that the rebuilding of other components, such as boilers, piping and communication systems, can be carried out without building permits, so long as requests for pollution permits are submitted to the Environmental Protection Ministry and the Haifa Bay Cities Association before construction begins.