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Environmental Protection Ministry

Built by Israel with funds deducted from Palestinian tax revenues, this plant at the Meitar crossing on the Green Line filters rock dust from wastewater before the latter reaches the Shoket wastewater treatment plant in Israel, July 14, 2026. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
October 2, 2026, 11:56 pm
Suspected arson shuts Negev sewage plant, sending raw wastewater into streams
Some 30,000 cubic meters a day expected to flow through waterways for weeks; plant officials reportedly link attack to refusal to pay protection money, citing past incidents
By Sue Surkes and ToI Staff
Energy, Water and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen visits a water desalination facility near Rishon Lezion, September 2, 2026. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
September 4, 2026, 3:07 pm
Officials seek to calm public after algicides dumped at sea in bid to reopen desalination plants
Fishing temporarily banned ‘as a precaution’ but water supplies back to normal, says Energy Ministry, after initially unannounced push to get rid of rogue algae crippling stations
By Sue Surkes
Aerial view of the Orot Rabin power station in Hadera, on January 29, 2026. (Yossi Zamir/FLASH90)
September 1, 2026, 6:00 am
Israel’s global warming emissions down in 2025 but still cost economy $11 billion, ministry finds
Environmental Protection Ministry’s pollution data shows positive trends in many areas thanks to continuing demise of coal, drop in wildfires after end of rocket fire from Lebanon
By Sue Surkes
A dump in Kafr Manda in northern Israel, whose owner was fined nearly $240,000 by the Environmental Protection Ministry for illegal burning of waste, January 14, 2020. (Environmental Protection Ministry)
July 17, 2026, 9:48 pm
Just before disbanding, Knesset passes long-awaited construction waste law
Law sets rules for waste from building sites through transport, processing, recycling; doesn’t apply to West Bank, where waste dumping is extensive; funding for law is unclear
By Sue Surkes
Illustrative: Construction of the new Tel Aviv Light Rail, on Jerusalem Boulevard in Jaffa-Tel Aviv on February 25, 2020. (Miriam Alster/Flash90/File)
July 12, 2026, 9:11 pm
40 groups contest move to dilute environmental oversight of big projects
Planners propose generic impact tests to speed up development, but critics say Environmental Protection Ministry only body to provide science-based protection for public
By Sue Surkes
View of the Orot Rabin power plant in coastal Hadera from the Sdot Yam beach, central Israel, May 20, 2023. In a controversial move, the government is allowing the plant to retain coal for emergency backup. (Yossi Aloni/FLASH90)
June 29, 2026, 9:29 am
State tells High Court it’s not obliged to have targets for emissions cuts
Responding to country’s first petition against its climate change policy, government claims international pacts require ‘continuous effort’ rather than meeting stated goals
By Sue Surkes
Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman at the annual Jerusalem conference of 'Besheva' -- the digital arm of the right-wing Arutz 7 media network, February 17, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
June 1, 2026, 11:49 am
Environment minister slams data from her own office as ‘fake news’
Idit Silman blasts NGO for releasing figures obtained through Freedom of Information request showing 83 percent drop in indictments against environmental violators on her watch
By Sue Surkes
Researchers take samples as part of the 2024 national monitoring program. (Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research)
April 29, 2026, 6:03 am
The Mediterranean: Warmer, saltier, more acidic, and rising fast — report
Israeli ministries’ annual national monitoring report paints stark picture of sea under threat from climate change, with invasive species taking over and local ones disappearing
By Sue Surkes
Smoke rises from the Bazan oil refinery in Haifa, following missile attacks from Iran and Lebanon, March 30, 2026. (Anthony Hershko/Flash90)
April 26, 2026, 5:12 pm
Environmental activists threaten High Court petition over data wipe
Environmental Protection Ministry pulled all pollution permits data from website due to emergency request citing Iran’s efforts to target industrial sites
By Sue Surkes
A dust storm as seen from the Tel Aviv suburb of Givatayim, April 2, 2026. (Michael Horovitz/The Times of Israel)
April 2, 2026, 4:42 pm
Dust storm turns Israel’s skies gray on Passover, drives up pollution
Environmental Protection Ministry warns sensitive populations to reduce physical activity
By Michael Horovitz and Reuters
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze caused by an Iranian missile at the Neot Hovav industrial zone, near Beersheba, March 26, 2026. (Fire and Rescue Service)
March 29, 2026, 10:42 pm
Iranian missile attack sparks blaze in chemical plant, fears of hazardous leak
No injuries in strike on Neot Hovav industrial zone; Environmental Protection Ministry later gives all clear after locals told to stay away; another missile hits Beersheba, lightly injuring 11
By Emanuel Fabian, Sue Surkes and Agencies
Illegal burning of electronic waste near Azzoun, northern West Bank, November 24, 2025. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
December 29, 2025, 11:54 am
Pirate waste fires choke Israelis and Palestinians as ministers play game of hot potato
Ahead of upcoming elections, lawmakers wake up to citizens’ protests as Environmental and Defense Ministries battle over turf, and as Treasury promises — but doesn’t deliver — funds
By Sue Surkes
Illustrative: Construction waste. (lusia599; iStock by Getty Images)
December 24, 2025, 7:54 pm
Environment Ministry inaugurates new facility for recycling building waste
Located in Kedumim in northern West Bank, the facility separates materials that can be used again for new building and infrastructure projects, reducing what is sent to landfills
By Sue Surkes
A fire lit to burn waste in the West Bank, as seen from the northern Israeli town of Harish, October 2025. (Dolev Hilell)
December 17, 2025, 3:23 pm
‘Stay indoors’: Health Ministry tells central town to shelter due to toxic waste fires
In rare move, ministry instructs some Shoham residents to close windows, turn off air conditioning to protect themselves from pollution from illegal West Bank fires
By Sue Surkes
A fire lit to burn waste in the West Bank, as seen from the northern Israeli town of Harish, October 2025. (Dolev Hilell)
December 7, 2025, 11:04 pm
Lack of funds to fight waste fires is a ‘death sentence’ for hundreds, group warns
Citizens for Clean Air says state neglecting health of citizens; Environmental Protection Ministry still negotiating with Treasury to obtain funds
By Sue Surkes
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