Southern Mayors Warn of Thousands of Jobs at Risk Over Rotem Amfert Plant Closure
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Four Negev mayors warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the potential closure of the Rotem Amfert plant, which employs 1,000 people directly, could harm thousands of families. The dispute centers on the plant's need to use an additional storage pool for phosphogypsum as its current reservoir nears capacity in early 2027. The mayors are urging government intervention to ensure the plant's continued operation, citing extensive prior approvals and the significant economic impact on southern Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Four Negev mayors warned Prime Minister Netanyahu about the potential closure of the Rotem Amfert plant.
- The plant directly employs 1,000 workers and its closure could affect thousands of families in southern Israel.
- The dispute involves the need for additional storage for phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate production.
- The plant's current reservoir is expected to reach full capacity by early 2027.
- Mayors are urging government intervention to allow the plant to continue operations, citing prior approvals.
Four Negev regional leaders have appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and government ministers, warning that the potential closure of the Rotem Amfert Negev plant could jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of families in southern Israel. The plant directly employs about 1,000 workers and indirectly supports many more. The mayors of Be'er Sheva, Dimona, Arad, and the head of the Yeruham Local Council are urging the government to intervene in a decision by the National Council for Planning and Construction regarding the plant's continued operation.
The core issue revolves around "Reservoir 5," used for storing phosphogypsum, a byproduct of the phosphate industry. This reservoir is expected to reach full capacity by early 2027. Rotem Amfert is seeking approval to use "Pool 4" to ensure production continuity. The mayors stated that the plan has undergone extensive environmental and planning reviews and was approved by the District Planning and Building Commission. They also noted that the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Water Authority, the Nature and Parks Authority, and the environmental organization Adam Teva V'Din participated in the process without objection, and a district court upheld the planning committee's decision.
In their letter, the leaders emphasized that Reservoir 5 will reach capacity early next year and that without a swift solution for operational continuity, the plant's activity could be significantly impacted, affecting employees, businesses, and families across the region. They clarified that the proposed use of Pool 4 is a temporary measure while the company pursues a long-term solution. The mayors called for a balance between environmental considerations and the necessity of maintaining employment in the Negev, arguing that closing a major employer would contradict national efforts to strengthen the region.
The signatories stressed that Rotem Amfert's closure would not be a localized event, with repercussions felt in Be'er Sheva, Dimona, Arad, Yeruham, and numerous other communities. They urged decision-makers to respect the completed professional process and allow the factory to continue operating.
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