Israeli Political Parties Fail to Prioritize Environmental Issues in Knesset Lists
Environmental activists expressed disappointment following the submission of party lists for the upcoming Knesset elections, citing a lack of serious commitment to environmental issues among the major "change bloc" parties. Despite ongoing crises such as climate change, water scarcity, and waste management, key parties have relegated environmental expertise to low, non-viable positions on their electoral slates.
Gadi Eisenkot, a prominent figure in the "change bloc," indicated that while a "known" environmental representative might be included, the focus remains on broader electoral appeal. Activists' efforts, including direct outreach and public questioning, have yielded little substantive change, with figures like Gidi Zaga placed at number 39, effectively outside the Knesset.
Similarly, the "B" party, led by Yair Lapid, has placed Yasmin Sax Friedman, who was slated to lead a new national animal welfare authority, at number 20. While Lapid has acknowledged past environmental "sins," including the import of live animals, and promised to establish the authority, her low placement suggests limited influence.
The article criticizes the liberal-democratic bloc for lagging behind Western counterparts in integrating environmental concerns into their platforms. While some parties have published environmental plans, the lack of dedicated representatives to champion these issues in the Knesset raises doubts about their implementation. The author suggests that only the "Democrats" party, despite also leaving out key figures, offers some hope, highlighting a broader trend of environmental issues being sidelined in Israeli politics.
The piece concludes by urging the liberal camp to acknowledge its own shortcomings in prioritizing environmental protection, contrasting it with the perceived indifference of the right. It stresses the urgent need for serious, non-populist management of energy, water, waste, and climate change, arguing that current Knesset lists fail to reflect this urgency.
