Rotem Amfert Negev Faces Potential Layoffs Amid Environmental Dispute

Rotem Amfert Negev, a major chemical and phosphate mining plant in Israel's Negev desert and a subsidiary of ICL Group, is facing a critical juncture that could lead to thousands of job losses. The company is awaiting a crucial decision on its appeal regarding the expansion of its phosphogypsum storage facility, with the hearing set for the latter half of October. This uncertainty looms over the plant's thousands of direct and indirect employees as they head into the High Holidays.

Rotem Amfert Negev, owned by businessman Idan Ofer, mines phosphates in the Negev and processes them into fertilizers and industrial chemicals. While it is a significant employer in the southern region, its operations have also drawn criticism for substantial negative environmental impacts, including air emissions, leading to its inclusion on the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection's "red list."

The immediate concern is the fate of "Pool 4," a proposed interim solution for storing phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate processing. The Southern District Planning and Building Commission approved the plan, which is essential for the plant's continued operation as its current storage facility, "Pool 5," nears capacity in early 2027. Without approval for "Pool 4," the plant faces operational disruptions and potential shutdowns.

The plan for "Pool 4" has been in development for over five years, involving environmental commitments and agreements with various Israeli authorities, including the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Water Authority, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Tamar Regional Council. Despite expert and commission approval, a legal challenge led to the case being escalated to the National Council for Planning and Building, delaying the final decision.

Moshe Hadad, chairman of the Rotem workers' committee, expressed deep concern, stating, "For us, these are not legal concepts, this is our future. Thousands of families in the employment periphery of the Negev are left without alternatives, and again come to the holidays in unbearable uncertainty." He urged the state to reach a swift decision to prevent immediate damage to exports and thousands of jobs.