Kadima Tzoran Schools Reopen After Solar Panel Radiation Dispute
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
Schools in Kadima Tzoran reopened after a strike by parents concerned about radiation from planned solar panels. The strike ended following agreements with the local council, though some parents remain unsatisfied. The dispute centered on radiation levels, with parents citing expert reports that Israeli standards are insufficient. Agreements include revised work hours for installations, radiation testing by a parent-chosen inspector, and a dispute resolution mechanism.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Kadima Tzoran schools reopened after a parent strike over solar panel radiation concerns ended with council agreements.
- Parents cited expert reports claiming Israeli radiation standards are insufficient and pose long-term cancer risks to children.
- The council maintains adherence to current Ministry of Environmental Protection and Health guidelines.
- Agreements include limits on installation work during school hours and independent radiation testing.
- Some parents, like Lior Boganim, believe the agreements do not adequately address their safety concerns.
- The installations are part of a national mandate for local authorities to implement solar energy by 2040.
Elementary schools and a middle school in Kadima Tzoran have resumed classes after a two to three-day strike by parents protesting the local council's plan to install solar panels on educational building rooftops. The parents' committees had threatened to extend the strike to kindergartens but called it off following agreements with the council. Two demonstrations were also held outside the council building. Despite the agreements, some parents remain dissatisfied.
The core concern for the parents is the potential for high levels of non-ionizing radiation, emitted by electrical devices, mobile phones, and solar energy systems, which they fear could increase cancer risk in children with long-term exposure. The council adheres to standards set by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health, while parents cite a report by public health expert Prof. Eliyahu Richter. Richter's report suggests current Israeli standards are not stringent enough and do not align with World Health Organization recommendations, calling for additional safety measures not currently mandated by the council. A key point of contention remains the acceptable level of radiation in educational facilities.
Other issues addressed in the agreements include the timing of solar panel installation work. While parents demanded no work during school hours, the council agreed to conduct it only during the "minimum necessary" hours. During the strike, school staff reported nausea and vomiting, possibly due to roof waterproofing work related to the solar installations. A senior council manager will now oversee construction.
Agreements were also reached on radiation testing. Within the coming week, radiation tests will be conducted in all educational institutions by an inspector chosen by the parents but employed by the council, with parent representatives present. Further tests will occur before solar panel installation. A dispute resolution mechanism has been established, requiring the council and parent committees to address disagreements within 24 hours, with mediation available if needed. The council stated it would continue to act responsibly and transparently.
However, not all parents are satisfied. Lior Boganim, one of the dissenting mothers, criticized the ongoing work and the council's interpretation of "minimum," stating that regulatory compliance is not a substitute for precautionary measures. She also expressed frustration that parents are forced to interpret complex radiation data themselves.