Environment Minister Silman’s Diary Reveals Focus on Social and Political Events Over Environmental Issues
The work diary of Israeli Environment Minister Idit Silman reveals a troubling prioritization of social and political engagements over environmental responsibilities. Throughout 2025, Silman dedicated significant time to attending weddings, bar mitzvahs, brit milahs, and political meetings with Likud activists, while notably avoiding meetings with leading environmental organizations for six months. Even after the June 2025 Iranian missile strike on the Bazan oil refinery, which killed three workers and caused severe environmental and energy concerns, her diary shows no recorded meetings with Bazan’s management, though social events continued unabated.
One of the few detailed meetings was with Sonol fuel company CEO Avi Megiddo in December 2025, alongside senior officials and political advisors, discussing complex and costly changes to fuel tank inspection regulations opposed by gas stations. Another documented professional meeting occurred in October 2025 regarding a Supreme Court petition filed by environmental groups demanding the release of previously granted environmental fund money.
Critics, including Elad Hochman, CEO of the environmental NGO Green Course, condemned Silman’s lack of engagement with environmental groups and her focus on social events during a national crisis. Hochman highlighted that despite the Bazan incident’s severe impact on Israel’s fuel supply and environment, Silman prioritized attending celebrations. The diary also reveals extensive involvement in Likud party activities, including meetings with controversial figures such as lobbyist Omer Carmi and Likud branch chairman Rafi Kedoshim, who recently sparked controversy over remarks about a murder case.
Additionally, Silman’s September 2025 trip to New York, costing approximately 350,000 shekels, showed minimal professional activity, raising questions about the trip’s purpose. Legal activist Dan Rozental, who filed the petition to release Silman’s diary, criticized the minister for focusing on party events rather than environmental policy and urged her to publish her schedule proactively. The Environment Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
