Israeli State Comptroller Warns Government Neglects Dead Sea, Deepening Environmental and Economic Damage

The Dead Sea, a national and international asset, continues to suffer from severe neglect by the Israeli government, according to the State Comptroller's report released on Tuesday. The sea's water level is dropping by approximately 1.15 meters annually, and despite recognizing the issue over two decades ago, the government has yet to establish a comprehensive policy to stabilize the declining water level. The Environment Ministry only began assessing the economic benefits of slowing the decline in 2025, and key projects announced years ago remain incomplete.

A 2022 inter-ministerial report recommended intervention to stabilize the water level, but the Environment Ministry has not finalized its report, and Minister Idit Silman has not presented recommendations to the government. Delays in decision-making could increase costs, estimated between 150 million and 2.1 billion shekels annually, while reducing the achievable water level.

In 2018, the government designated the northern Dead Sea basin as a national priority area and pledged support to local councils to mitigate economic damage, mainly through tourism development. However, nearly seven years later, 11 of 12 tourism projects remain unfinished, with only one partially completed. Many projects have not even begun statutory procedures, despite a government budget allocation of about 98 million shekels.

The report also highlights the government's failure to regulate the emerging "sinkhole tourism" phenomenon and address the lack of insurance coverage for sinkhole damages. The Capital Market Authority has not sought insurance proposals, and insurers refuse to cover such risks, hindering public beach development, including a planned site near Ein Gedi.

Additionally, the government has neglected safety risks on Highway 90 in the northern Dead Sea area. A 2018 government decision tasked the Transportation Ministry with a multi-year maintenance plan to protect the road from geological hazards linked to the dropping water level, with a budget of 107 million shekels. Yet, two of four recommended projects remain incomplete, and no final report or government discussion has occurred. Consequently, the highway frequently closes due to floods, disrupting residents, local economy, tourism, and access to essential services.