Netanyahu indefinitely delays resumption of work on controversial Golan wind farm

Construction on a controversial wind turbine project in the Golan Heights that sparked large protests by members of the Druze community has not resumed despite the Prime Minister’s Office telling the company behind the project that they could return to work no later than August 1.

In June, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a temporary halt to the project following widespread, violent protests and set up an inter-ministerial committee to address the issue.

In a letter sent by Netanyahu’s military secretary Avi Gil to Energix, the company behind the project, the developers were informed that the committee would present its findings by July 19 and were requested to delay continued construction until the start of August.

However, the committee has so far met twice and plans to meet a third time. It has not yet presented any findings, according to Zman Yisrael, The Times of Israel’s Hebrew-language sister site.

Energix is currently willing to wait a little longer in the hope that the issue can be suitably resolved, Zman Yisrael reports but notes that if the state continues to block the project it could be opening itself  up to a demand for compensation, with the company already having invested some NIS 500 million ($133 million.)