Minister's Advisor Had Oil Industry Ties, Benefited Environmental Group
Translated & summarized from Shakuf by baba
Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman employed Erez Kalif, an advisor with ties to the oil industry through his father's gas stations and his own past work, for nearly two years. After leaving Silman's office, Kalif became CEO of the "Green Israel Forum," an organization that Silman's ministry subsequently advanced for a special legal status, bypassing other applicants. The ministry and Silman's office have not commented on the matter.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Minister Idit Silman employed advisor Erez Kalif, who had oil industry ties, for nearly two years.
- Kalif's father operates gas stations, and Kalif previously worked in fuel management.
- After leaving Silman's office, Kalif became CEO of the "Green Israel Forum."
- Silman's ministry advanced the "Green Israel Forum" for a special legal status, bypassing other groups.
- Kalif's conflict of interest agreement did not fully address his personal oil industry experience.
- Silman's office and the ministry declined to comment on the situation.
Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman employed an advisor, Erez Kalif, for nearly two years who had connections to the oil industry. Kalif's father is a franchisee for Paz, operating an unspecified number of gas stations. Kalif himself worked in fuel management for Solel Boneh's international arm in Kenya between 2013 and 2015. Despite signing a conflict of interest agreement pledging to avoid oil-related matters, Kalif's role at the ministry, which regulates fuel stations and deals with fossil fuel emissions, raised questions. His conflict of interest agreement did not explicitly mention his personal oil industry experience, possibly due to the time elapsed.
Following his tenure, Kalif became CEO of the "Green Israel Forum," an environmental organization that Silman's ministry, under her initiative, sought to grant a prestigious legal standing. This status, previously awarded to only 13 other groups, allows organizations to file lawsuits for environmental nuisances. The ministry's push for the "Green Israel Forum" came despite receiving applications from another environmental group, "Guardians of the Home," which were seemingly ignored. Silman had previously engaged in a public campaign against established environmental organizations, labeling them as subversive and working to strip them of funding and status, while prioritizing the "Green Israel Forum" where her former aide, Kalif, served as CEO.
Records from Silman's diary were vague, often omitting meeting details. However, logs from the ministry's Directors-General indicated Kalif attended meetings concerning oil transport and UN climate conferences. Kalif concluded his advisory role in February 2025, and by March, he had moved to lead the "Green Israel Forum." The ministry and Silman's office did not respond to questions regarding Kalif's employment and the circumstances surrounding the "Green Israel Forum's" expedited status.
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