Israel Chokes on Waste Crisis, Parties Pledge Action Ahead of Elections

Israel is grappling with a severe waste crisis, marked by widespread illegal waste burning that pollutes the air and harms public health. The "Clean Air for All" organization marked the National Suffocation Day last week, highlighting the daily production of 1.77 kilograms of waste per person and the annual landfilling of 4.82 million tons of domestic and commercial waste. Unregulated waste is either recycled, dumped in illegal sites, or burned, with a significant portion being transferred to the Palestinian territories for cheaper disposal, contributing to cross-border air pollution.

The "Clean Air for All" hotline has received approximately 23,000 reports of waste fires, smoke, and odor nuisances in the past two and a half years. Yaniv Bleicher, the organization's CEO, stated that these reports indicate the scale of the problem and its impact on residents' quality of life, noting frequent reports of health symptoms during burning incidents. The organization is urging all political parties to present clear plans to combat waste fires and address the crisis before the upcoming elections.

Estimates suggest that around half a million tons of various waste types are burned annually in Israel. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, these fires are responsible for 75% of carcinogenic air emissions and about a third of PM2.5 particulate matter emissions, which are linked to approximately 4,700 Israeli deaths per year and severe respiratory illnesses. The organization has appealed to over 110 local authorities to urge parties to commit to addressing the issue, though the Likud and Haredi/Arab parties have not responded.

Several parties have responded with pledges. Naftali Bennett's "Achva" party promised a national emergency plan within 100 days of government formation. The Economic party, led by Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha, recognized the crisis as a severe national issue affecting environment, health, economy, and governance. "Otzma Yehudit" views illegal dumping and burning as a serious threat, especially when originating from Judea and Samaria, potentially linking it to organized crime and nationalistic motives akin to terrorism.

"Yisrael Beiteinu" criticized the government's inaction, promising practical solutions in the next government. Gadi Eisenkot's "Yashar" party pledged a comprehensive plan for waste crisis management and environmental protection. Yair Golan of the Democrats party committed to advancing a framework law for waste and establishing a national authority for waste and circular economy.

The waste management infrastructure is nearing collapse, with the main landfill in Evate nearing capacity. Reuven Ladianski, Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo and Chairman of the Dan Association for Sanitation, warned of uncertainty regarding future landfill agreements. Dr. Yonatan Eichenbaum, co-founder of the Environmental Headquarters, criticized the government's neglect, noting that a NIS 550 million budget allocated for waste removal in the Arab community was not transferred, leading to collapsing local authorities.