Environmental Protection Ministry Under Silman Criticized for Systemic Failures
A report by the State Comptroller and analyses of Minister Idit Silman's schedule reveal significant shortcomings during her tenure at the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The ministerial committee on climate, which Silman established in 2023, never convened a single meeting. Furthermore, only about a third of Silman's documented activities directly related to her official duties, with the rest focused on personal meetings and political engagements.
Enforcement against environmental polluters has drastically declined, with indictments dropping by 83% between 2023 and 2025. This is attributed to understaffing in the enforcement division, with 22 key positions, including the Chief Scientist, remaining vacant as of May 2025. The National Climate Risks Portal, a crucial project for assessing environmental hazards, was launched with little fanfare, reportedly due to the ministry losing interest.
Silman's leadership has been criticized for failing to exert political influence on critical issues such as the Climate Law and relations with environmental organizations. Despite the ministry's significant responsibilities in public health, air quality, waste management, and climate change preparedness, it lacks direct control over other key sectors like health, transportation, and energy, necessitating strong inter-ministerial coordination which was not achieved.
The article highlights that Israel still lacks an actionable national climate preparedness plan, with most government bodies failing to develop budgeted strategies. Billions allocated for climate crisis response lack a comprehensive oversight mechanism. The Climate Law, passed its first reading in April 2024, faces potential weakening as the Treasury seeks to make its targets "aspirational" and deferrable.
Silman's relationship with environmental organizations was strained; she reportedly blocked them and labeled them as "fighting the state" and "radical left-wing." Conversely, a right-wing aligned organization, whose director previously advised Silman, received a coveted public prosecutor status. While the professional staff achieved some successes, such as utilizing cleanup fund money for waste treatment facilities, these are attributed to them, not to Silman's political leadership.
