Israel Approves Gas Power Plant Project in Ashdod Amid Environmental Concerns

The project faces strong opposition from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, environmental groups, and local authorities. Professionals within the ministry advised Minister Idit Silman to oppose the plan, warning that the new station would degrade air quality and jeopardize a pollution reduction program adopted in June. Ashdod's northern industrial zone is already heavily saturated with industrial facilities, ranking first in Israel for volatile organic compound emissions and second for nitrogen oxide emissions. Opponents also point to Ministry of Health reports linking the area to elevated rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, while the municipality of Yavne and environmental groups raised concerns about the vulnerability of large energy facilities to attacks.

In response to the criticism, the Ministry of Energy stated that all environmental requirements will be examined during the further development of the project. Meanwhile, the government has indefinitely postponed discussions on a similar power plant proposal in Palmachim, near Yavne and the Palmachim Nature Reserve, following protests from residents and local councils.