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Feb. 21, 2021
The Environmental Protection, Interior and Health Ministries submitted a cabinet resolution this week on bolstering the country’s preparedness to deal with maritime pollution following the devastating oil spill that took place off Israel s shores Wednesday.
Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel said on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports the plan.
Her announcement, five days after large quantities of tar inundated Israel’s beaches, once again showed that only a major crisis can prod the government into action to protect the environment.
In addition to providing immediate funding to clean up the tar and rehabilitate the damage it caused to the environment, the resolution would bolster the ministry’s staff to help it deal with such incidents. The resolution also promises to enact a national plan for dealing with maritime pollution and pledges funding for local governments affected by the incident.