Economic council head doubles down on urgency of shuttering Haifa oil refinery

Prof. Avi Simhon, head of the National Economic Council and chairman of the Steering Committee for the Haifa Bay Strategic Development Plan, calls for an acceleration of the plan to close the polluting Bazan oil refineries in Haifa, following the state comptroller’s call for a reexamination of the 2022 government decision mandating the facilities’ closure.

He says, “The war has proven what everyone already knew — that the refinery complex is a prime target for our enemies. In the absence of 100 percent protection, it will inevitably be hit and cease to function for a prolonged period.”

He goes on, “Bazan has yet to fully restore production to its previous levels, six months after a single missile tragically struck the complex and killed three employees” during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025.

“Therefore, we must accelerate the implementation of the government’s decision,” he says. “Instead of relying on the import of crude oil from a limited number of countries, refining it in two large refineries in Haifa and Ashdod, and then distributing the fuels they produce to consumers, it is preferable to promote the direct import of finished fuels.”

He adds, “These fuels should be stored in large quantities at protected sites across the country and distributed to consumers during both routine and emergency periods. In doing so, we will save Haifa Bay from pollution, foul odors, and their associated illnesses, while simultaneously strengthening the energy security of the State of Israel.”