Environmental Minister Ida Silman Ignored Most Opposition Queries

A review by the Shakuf website’s “Minister-Meter” project found that Environmental Protection Minister Idith Silman has largely avoided answering questions from opposition lawmakers since the government was formed. According to the review, she answered all inquiries from coalition members, but only 60% of those submitted by opposition MKs.

So far, 63 parliamentary questions have been submitted to Silman, including six urgent questions and 57 regular ones. She answered all six urgent questions, but only 38 of the 57 regular questions, a response rate of 66%. The 19 unanswered regular questions all came from opposition lawmakers, while coalition lawmakers received answers to 100% of their questions.

The project also examined direct questions, which are answered by ministries without being published on the Knesset website. In that category, Silman’s ministry received 123 direct questions and answered 100, or 81%, leaving 23 unanswered. Many of the unanswered questions were submitted by MK Yorai Lahav-Hertzanu of Yesh Atid, who focuses on environmental oversight.

Among the unresolved topics were the cleanup of polluted land at Sde Dov, the environmental impact of the “Ramat Hashnayim” plan, air pollution, cuts to climate projects, and halting transfers of funds from the Environmental Protection Ministry to cartels and criminals. Lahav-Hertzanu said, “Minister Silman is afraid of the truth,” adding that her silence amounts to an admission of failure. Silman’s office had not responded by publication time.

The review said Silman’s performance is low compared with other ministries. The Education Ministry answered 152 of 176 questions, the Welfare Ministry 58 of 66, the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry 28 of 30, and the Culture and Sports Ministry answered all 22 it received. Across government ministries, the average response rate is about 70%, excluding the Defense Ministry because of censorship constraints, and the project said Knesset pressure has improved compliance overall.