Israeli environmental groups warned of disaster as the government overruled the Environmental Protection Ministry and allowed a company to transport more than 2 million tons of oil through Eilat every year
Nir Hasson. Dec 10, 2024
The government approved a significant increase in crude oil transportation through the Eilat Port on Monday, despite widespread opposition from professional experts and serious concerns about endangering coral reefs.
This decision effectively terminates the “zero additional risk” policy that the Environmental Protection Ministry established for the Gulf of Eilat several years ago. Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, along with two former ministers – Ze’ev Elkin and Gila Gamliel – voted against the decision.
Under the new government decision, the Europe Asia Pipeline Company will be permitted to substantially increase its oil transport through the Gulf of Eilat to more than two million tons annually. The majority of this oil is not intended for Israeli use but will instead pass through Israel as an alternative to the Suez Canal.
The company seeks this increase to fulfill an agreement with a United Arab Emirates firm, under which oil will be unloaded at Eilat, transported via pipeline to Ashkelon, and then reloaded onto tankers bound for Europe.
The “zero additional risk” policy was originally implemented due to concerns that even a minor oil spill from a tanker could irreversibly damage Eilat’s coral reefs, which are already threatened by climate change and other pollutants flowing into the Gulf of Eilat. Though the Prime Minister’s Office and Finance Ministry have spent the past two years pressuring the Environmental Protection Ministry to abandon this policy, the ministry has consistently refused until now.
“Our stance remains clear – we must continue protecting the Gulf of Eilat,” Silman said this week. “This proposal inherently increases the risk of damage to our sensitive marine environment, and our ministry strongly opposes it.”
Earlier Monday, seven local authority heads from southern Israel sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging the government to reject the policy change. “We firmly oppose such unilateral measures, which not only fail to enhance Israel’s security but actively endanger our residents’ lives, health, livelihoods, and the very survival of southern communities during these challenging times,” they wrote. The mayors of both Eilat and Ashkelon were among the signatories.
Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri, who urgently appealed to the prime minister and ministers on Sunday to remove the Gulf’s risk management issue from the agenda, expressed deep frustration with both the decision and its timing. The decision permits increased pipeline activity in the Gulf, putting at risk both Eilat’s residents and visitors, as well as communities along the oil pipeline route.
Following the decision, Lankri said, “This is a dismal decision that subjects the Gulf of Eilat, a crucial strategic asset for Israel, to an exceptional, immediate, and dangerous threat. The decision-making process lacked transparency and excluded local government leaders. It relies on incorrect and misleading claims about energy security necessity, despite environmental and public opposition backed by professional expertise. We will not accept the abandonment of our city or allow Eilat to face potentially catastrophic damage.”
The Coalition Against Increased Oil Transport, which represents various environmental and public health organizations, released a statement saying, “The government’s decision to allow the Asia Europe Pipeline Company to increase its oil transport to millions of tons and dozens of tankers annually through the Gulf of Eilat and Mediterranean coasts is a foreseeable disaster.”
“Israel’s government continues its policy of abandonment, rushing recklessly toward another crisis that threatens Eilat, the Negev, the Arava, Ashkelon and all of Israel’s coastal cities,” the coalition said.
The Zalul Environmental Association characterized the government’s decision as “a green light toward a black future for us all,” adding, “The threats and dangers are unmistakable. No government official can claim ignorance of the consequences. Surrendering to political deal-making and the AEPC’s profit motives marks a shameful moment in government conduct, once again sacrificing public interest to a serial offender responsible for hundreds of serious pollution incidents.”
“However, despite this controversial decision, the Environmental Protection Ministry’s toxic materials permit supervisor retains full authority to deny any increase in the EAPC permit and maintain existing restrictions,” the organization added. “We urge the minister and senior ministry officials to stand firm like a brick wall and resist this unfortunate government decision, which is not legally binding on them.”