Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Mediterranean tar pollution

A ladybug rests on tar-covered rocks and shells after an oil spill in the Mediterranean Sea, at Tel-Dor Nature Reserve in Nahsholim, Israel; Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. (AP/Ariel Schalit)
March 7, 2023, 9:08 am
Two years since major coastal tar spill, marine unit still waiting for extra funds
Prime minister visited spill site, a ministerial committee made recommendations – but in terms of preparedness for a future spill, nothing has actually changed
By Sue Surkes
People clean tar from an oil spill in the Mediterranean sea in Gador nature reserve near Hadera, Israel, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
March 29, 2021, 9:39 pm
21 years late, Environment Ministry issues draft bill on oil spill preparedness
Detailed memorandum, which spells out responsibilities of all bodies involved as well as fines for non-compliance, open for public comment until April 28
By Sue Surkes
A satellite image of Israel and Gaza's southern Mediterranean coast taken by the EU's Sentinel 1 on February 12, 2021. (screen capture)
March 17, 2021, 7:22 pm
Marine monitor urges Israel to step up surveillance or risk more oil spill woes
Head of Tel Aviv-based Windward, which helped ministry pin February leak on alleged smuggling ship, says he ‘won’t feel comfortable’ until Israel starts keeping a closer eye on sea
By Sue Surkes
Soldiers clean tar off the Palmachim beach following an offshore oil spill that polluted most of the Israeli coastline, February 22, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 17, 2021, 2:27 pm
Environment Ministry declares oil spill emergency over
82% of beaches reopened to public; cleanup operation to continue
By ToI Staff
Pieces of tar from an oil spill in the Mediterranean Sea wash up on a beach in the Gdor Nature Reserve near Michmoret, Israel, Monday, March 1, 2021. The cleanup from the disastrous oil spill that has blackened most of the country's shoreline is expected to take months. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
March 14, 2021, 2:07 am
Gantz: Israel did not cause the oil spill that polluted its beaches
Defense minister dismisses speculation, in wake of WSJ report on IDF targeting Iranian tankers, that Israel inadvertently hit ship that spilled oil off Mediterranean coast
By ToI Staff
Workers clean up chunks of tar that washed up on Dado Beach in Haifa, March 12, 2021. (Fred Arzoine/Environmental Protection Ministry)
March 12, 2021, 7:45 pm
Storm brings more tar to Israel’s Mediterranean coast following major oil spill
Environmental Protection Ministry says large chunks found on Neve Yam Beach, several other locations in northern Israel; cleanup efforts in progress
By ToI Staff
Pieces of tar from an oil spill in the Mediterranean Sea wash up on a beach in the Gdor Nature Reserve near Michmoret, Israel, Monday, March 1, 2021. The cleanup from the disastrous oil spill that has blackened most of the country's shoreline is expected to take months. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
March 5, 2021, 7:27 pm
Gantz says no evidence found so far that oil spill was deliberate
Defense minister not yet ruling out environment minister’s charges that disaster was an Iranian act of eco-terrorism, but so far no proof found
By ToI Staff
Soldiers clean tar off the Palmachim beach following an offshore oil spill that polluted most of the Israeli coastline, February 22, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 4, 2021, 11:45 pm
TV: Defense establishment probe finds no proof of Iran terror role in oil spill
Intelligence apparatuses reportedly now investigating matter; Greenpeace says ‘outrageous and factually baseless’ claim of terrorism minimizes environmental issue
By ToI Staff
Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel at a press conference regarding an oil spill on Israel's beaches, at the Ministry of Environmental Protection offices in Jerusalem on March 3, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 4, 2021, 5:01 pm
Environment minister adamant oil spill is Iran terror; defense figures skeptical
Gila Gamliel insists there’s a ‘direct link’ between Iran and tanker blamed for pollution; before ship was identified, she had said she believed the incident wasn’t deliberate
By Stuart Winer and ToI Staff
Soldiers clean tar off the Palmachim beach following an offshore oil spill which drenched most of the Israeli coastline, February 22, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)`
March 3, 2021, 8:56 pm
Blaming Iran, environment minister calls oil spill ‘environmental terrorism’
Gila Gamliel says Libyan ‘pirate ship’ that sailed from Iran is responsible for huge leak that polluted coastline, but claim reportedly disputed by Israel’s security establishment
By ToI Staff
Yaniv Levy, Director of the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Michmoret, northern Israel, holds up one of six juvenile turtles being treated following an oil spill in the Mediterranean Sea, March 2, 2021. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
March 3, 2021, 6:54 pm
After surviving marine oil spill, young turtles heal with fish, mayo and love
21 sea turtles were brought to the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center, but most were already dead from tar; now the lucky remaining 6 are recovering alongside other injured turtles
By Sue Surkes
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel walk on Ashdod beach on February 21, 2021, after an offshore oil spill caused damage along Israel's Mediterranean coast (Kobi Gideon / GPO)
March 3, 2021, 4:43 pm
Israel says it has identified ship that caused massive oil leak in Mediterranean
Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel tweets that Israel has ‘laid its hands’ on the vessel responsible for tar polluting country’s coastline, doesn’t name ship
By ToI Staff
A fresh ball of tar on the beach at the Gador Nature Reserve in northern Israel, March 2, 2021. (Sue Surkes/Times of Israel)
March 3, 2021, 10:40 am
As tar keeps coming, Environment and Finance ministries spar over funds
Knesset committee chair warns that in a future pollution disaster, ‘we won’t have water to drink and our children won’t be able to bathe in the sea for decades’
By Sue Surkes
A sign that reads, "Danger, polluted sea" is placed on Haifa beach, northern Israel, next to bags full of tar collected by volunteers following an oil spill in the Mediterranean Sea, February 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
March 1, 2021, 7:03 pm
Israel rules out 12 of 35 vessels suspected in oil spill
Environment minister says disaster is a case of ‘malice’ on part of ship owner with ‘no compassion,’ demands government reconsider plan to increase crude shipments via Israel
By Sue Surkes
Pieces of tar that washed up onto the beach at the Gador Nature Reserve in northern Israel on March 1, 2021. (Yossi Aharoni)
March 1, 2021, 2:15 pm
11 days after start of coastal disaster, Environment Ministry calls for help
As more tar washes up on beaches, ministry seeks companies that can map contamination, establish cleanup priorities, offer ways to help to get hard-to-remove tar off rocks
By Sue Surkes
Load More

Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community

Sign in or Register

Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Sign in or Register
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.