State of Israel

Ministry of the Environment

ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN September

2005
volume 29

Ministry of the Environment

Cover: Open The Asbestos

"Clean Coast" Space Problem
Project Poster 9
24
www.environment.gov.il
From the Minister of the Environment: Mr. Shalom Simhon
Environment Minister Simhon speaks about his plans for a more
environmental future.
Onwards Toward Cleaner Coasts
Israel launches a "Clean Coast" project to keep its
beaches litter free.
Open Space in Israel?
Government agencies and green bodies set out to
preserve quality open spaces in the face of growing
pressures for development.
Toward Metropolitan Parks: The Case of the
Ayalon Park
Government approval of the Ayalon Park should see
the transformation of the Hiriya garbage mountain
into a unique metropolitan park in the center of
the country.
Open Spaces in Urban Places
Local authorities, NGOs and citizen groups are
promoting plans for a hierarchy of parks and gardens
in urban centers.
The Water Connection
Water links two projects initiated by Friends of the
Earth Middle East: "Crossing the Jordan" and "Good
Water Neighbors."
Confronting the Asbestos Problem
An in-depth look at the asbestos problem in Israel and
the efforts currently underway to find a solution.
Dairy Farms Go Green
Major environmental improvements are achieved as
a result of a reform in the dairy sector.
International Cooperation
An interview with Mr. Paul Mifsud, Coordinator of the
Mediterranean Action Plan.
With a Face to the Public
Cellular Antennas: Toward Greater Transparency.
Cover photo: "Going for a Clean Coast" campaign poster
Back Cover photo: Ilan Malester
Photos: Ministry of the Environment, Carol Avraham, Amir Balaban, Avner
Barzilai, Gidi Bettelheim, Yossi Harel (Nature and Parks Authority), Michal
Ben-Shushan, Judy Elispor, Friends of the Earth Middle East, Gerar Gal-Or,
Itamar Grinberg, Alex Kaplan, Ilan Malester, Eyal Mitrani, Shai Pe’er, Motti
Sela, Chagai Shyowitz, Danny Sternberg, Sasson Tiram, Eyal Yaffe
Design: Studio Billet
3 Dear Reader:
The September 2005 Israel
Environment Bulletin, Volume
29, focuses on what may
6 well be one of Israel’s
most important - and most
threatened – resource: open
space. Since the loss of open
9
space to development is
an irreversible process, decisions on which areas can be
transformed into built-up areas and which areas should
be preserved as open space are of critical importance.
Environmental and green organizations are hard at work,
along with planning agencies, to find ways to preserve
14
quality open spaces on the national, regional and local
levels. The current issue of the Bulletin looks at some of
these initiatives.
Yet another major focus is the cleanliness campaign
17
launched by the Ministry of the Environment in the Summer
of 2005. It is only apt that first priority should be given to
the country’s coastlines. The "Clean Coast" project
seeks to increase public awareness of the importance
of cleanliness along the country’s beaches so as to bring
22 an end to littering once and for all.
Major attention is also focused on Israel’s asbestos problem
and the measures currently being taken to confront the
24
problem, including training of contractors and inspectors,
guidelines on safe removal and disposal and information
to the public on asbestos exposure.
As always, the information in this Bulletin is supplemented
31 by our English website -www.environment.gov.il/english, which
is constantly being updated to provide new information on
major environmental topics and breaking news items.
32 At the dawn of the Jewish New Year, Israel Environment
Bulletin wishes all of its readers a clean and prosperous
new year.
34 Shoshana Gabbay
Editor
2 Production: Publications Unit
Ministry of the Environment
 From The Minister Of The Environment
Mr. Shalom Simhon
E Environment Minister Shalom Simhon spoke to
Israel Environment Bulletin in July 2005 about
his priorities and related, among other things,
to preparations for disengagement from the
Gaza Strip.
Your time in office coincides with Israel’s preparations
for disengagement from the Gaza Strip. What are the
environmental impacts of this decision?
I have been actively involved in the subject of
disengagement from Gaza, which is a major
political issue with environmental ramifications,
since I entered office. There are two major
environmental issues which relate to the
disengagement plan: disposal of construction and
demolition waste and treatment and disposal of
hazardous substances including asbestos.
I originally petitioned the Prime Minister to leave
the homes of the Gaza evacuees standing in order
to prevent environmental impacts associated
with infrastructure destruction, demolition waste
and asbestos. However, since the decision to
demolish the buildings was taken, I have called
for the safe disposal of hazardous substances,
especially asbestos. Contractors will be required
to dismantle asbestos structures in accordance
with strict environmental guidelines and to remove
this asbestos waste for landfilling in Israel.
What are the major projects you will seek to advance as
Minister of the Environment?
I am focusing on two major – and expensive –
projects, which deal with the pollution "hotspots"
of Israel: Haifa and Ramat Hovav. In Ramat
Hovav, we already have a government decision
on an action plan for pollution abatement, and
From left to right: Ilan Malester, Motti Sela, Amir Balaban, Ilan Malester
the time has now come for its implementation.
Substantial investments are needed to ensure
rehabilitation and wise treatment of industrial
wastes and air pollution in this area in order to
improve environmental quality and expedite
development plans for the Negev, including the
establishment of an IDF "training and instruction
city" in the region.
In Haifa Bay and the Kishon River, an overall solution
is needed for such major issues as river restoration
and treatment of air, sewage, sludge, and more.
I am working on a government decision on this
pollution "hotspot' that will make the treatment
of environmental hazards in Haifa Bay a national
project and will enable the population to co-exist
in harmony with industry. With the right
plans, we will
What are your priorities for the near future?
With the help of the additional funds that I be able to pass
have been able to secure for the Ministry of government
the Environment, I will give priority to several
projects.
decisions which
will shape our
Firstly, I believe that environmental education environment for
should start as early as possible in the school system
in order to lay the necessary social infrastructure to
generations to
prevent environmental pollution. I have therefore come
called for the establishment of a National Council
for Environmental Education, in cooperation with
government, academic, industrial and green
bodies, which will enable us to invest in education
and not only in enforcement.
Another major priority is the long-term cleanliness
campaign which was launched this summer, with
first priority going to the "Clean Coast" project.
3

Lilies along the coast.
Photo: Yossi Harel, Nature and Parks Authority
The additional
funds allocated
to the Ministry of
the Environment
will help advance
essential programs
including clean-ups
and river restoration
4
ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN
The implementation of this comprehensive
campaign to clean up our environment
is one of my major aims as Minister of the
Environment. I am sure that the joint efforts
of local authorities, government ministries
and the public will bring about a significant
improvement in the cleanliness level of our
beaches.
On the local front, I have doubled the budget
of local environmental units and have called for
additional units, with special emphasis on the rural
and Arab sectors.
I can also report on progress in the area of
radiation, which is a major concern in Israel.
After a struggle of more than four years, our
proposal for a Non-Ionizing Radiation Law,
which will give us the necessary professional and
administrative tools to effectively address the
subject, is being advanced. In addition, in order
to make information about cell sites accessible
to all members of the public, our website features
information about the location of existing as well
as planned base stations (antennas) throughout
the country.
vol 29
How would you like to leave your stamp on the Environment
Ministry and on the environment in Israel?
I have tried to promote several projects since I
first entered into office:
• A government decision on the establishment of
the Ayalon Park which will afford the residents of
the Tel Aviv metropolitan area a much-needed
"green lung" instead of more real estate.
• A master plan for the country’s rivers which will
integrate different components – environment,
landscape, tourism and return to nature.
• The expansion of our Deposit Law on Beverage
Containers to larger bottles.
• Cleanup of our open spaces, especially of
construction and demolition waste.
• Preparation of a national plan for the
rehabilitation of shut-down landfills in
cooperation with other ministries and the
subsequent utilization of their economic and
social potential.
• Rehabilitation of contaminated soil and
groundwater as a result of leaks from fuel pipes
and storage tanks in gas stations in cooperation
with other ministries.
If we are wise enough to develop the right plans,
environmentally, socially and economically, we
will be able to help pass government resolutions
whose implementation may well take years but
which will shape the character of our environment
for generations to come.
Environment Minister Shalom Simhon launches the
cleanliness campaign. Photo: Sasson Tiran

"Going for Cleanliness –

It’s Our Country"

On July 25, 2005, Environment Minister

Shalom Simhon launched a comprehensive
information campaign to promote
cleanliness in public areas. Simhon has
repeatedly stressed that increasing the
public’s awareness of cleanliness is one of
his main goals as Minister of the Environment.
In the first stage, the campaign will focus on
beach cleanliness, later to be followed by
cleanups of parks, nature reserves, forests
and open spaces.

The campaign was prompted by the results

of a survey conducted among 1,000 adult
respondents which revealed that 62% of
the public thinks that Israel should invest
additional resources in cleanliness and that
citizens rate the level of cleanliness in the
country as very low.

The campaign, organized by the Government

Advertising Agency (Lapam) on behalf of
the Ministry of the Environment, will utilize the
media – television, radio and internet - and
will see the posting of about 500 billboards
throughout the country.

5
 Improving the environment and preserving open spaces

Improving the
environment
and preserving
open spaces

Preventing
marine and
water pollution
and restoring
rivers Photo: Ilan Malester

Treating
life-threatening
Onwards Toward
Cleaner Coasts
hotspots

Treating
municipal,
industrial and
agricultural
waste
A
A "Clean Coast" project promises to keep Israel's
beaches litter free
Israel’s open undeclared beaches – those
beaches in which there are no lifeguards and
bathing is forbidden - span some 130 kilometers
out of Israel’s 190 kilometer long Mediterranean
coastal strip and 14 kilometers along the Gulf of
Developing Eilat. These coastal strips are characterized by a
tools for rich and wide diversity of flora and fauna and
improving
service and are a cultural, economic and environmental
professionalism resource. Most importantly, they provide vital
rest and recreation areas to a large part of the
country's population.
Yet neglect and litter have long plagued these
undeclared beaches, most of which are located
within the jurisdiction of local authorities. While
about a third of the waste originates at sea,
the public is responsible for the other two-thirds.
Some 70% of the waste left behind by vacationers
consists of plastic, which may take up to 400-500
years to degrade!!! To tackle the problem, the
Ministry of the Environment, in cooperation with
the Nature and Parks Authority, local authorities
and the general public, launched a "Clean Coast"
project on June 20, 2005. The project, targeted
at keeping the country’s coastlines litter free,
represents the first part of an ambitious and long-
term campaign aimed at keeping Israel clean. At
the request of Environment Minister Shalom Simhon, the
Finance Ministry has agreed to allocate NIS 3 million a
year for the next three years for the project.
Project Components
Previous cleanup campaigns have not been
successful in maintaining cleanliness along these
beaches in the long term. The current project
promises to be different. Within its framework,
undeclared beaches will be cleaned with the
joint financing of the Ministry of the Environment
(70%) and local authorities (30%), and will be
supplemented by education. Project components
will include:
• Routine cleanups by local authorities.
• Information and publicity.
• Enforcement against polluters of the coasts.
• Educational activities in schools and youth

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ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
 movements.
"Coast Watch" Volunteers
In order to enlarge the circle of participants in
the "Clean Coast" project, the Ministry of the
Environment has called on the public to pitch
in. An initial cadre of volunteers has already been
created under the guidance of the Marine and
Coastal Environment Division. "Coast Watch"
volunteers contribute several hours a month to
the project and participate in such activities as
education and enforcement on beaches on
weekends, cleanup campaigns and promotion
of community action.
Indicators of Success
In order to assess cleanliness levels on Israel's
undeclared beaches and measure the success
of the project, a clean coast index was developed.
This objective parameter, based on the amount
of plastic waste on the beach, aims to provide
a uniform and unbiased assessment of the
cleanliness level of Israel's beaches over time. In
parallel, a more comprehensive "coastal rating"
has been developed which ranks all of the
country’s undeclared beaches in terms of several
indicators: water quality, frequency of cleanups,
access to the coast, nature and heritage assets
and public feedback.
The clean coast index is already demonstrating
improvements in many of the country's undeclared
beaches. In parallel, weekend information and
enforcement activities in selected beaches are
raising awareness of the subject.
Did You Know?
• Israel's Mediterranean coastline stretches
some 190 kilometers from north to
south.
• Out of the 190-kilometer long
Mediterranean coastline, some 50
kilometers are closed to the public
because they are used for ports, power
stations, infrastructure and defense
uses.
• 95 kilometers of the remaining open
coastline are either built up or planned Ultimate
for building. responsibility
• Only 53 kilometers of open natural shores
remain along Israel's Mediterranean
for beach
coast. cleanliness
• In 1948, when Israel was established, rests with the
each citizen of Israel had 31 cm of coast;
today only 2.5 cm of coast remain per public
citizen.
• Some 70% of the population lives along
the Mediterranean coastal strip
• The Mediterranean coastline includes
87 declared beaches (with lifeguard
services), spanning some 13.3 kilometers -
only 6.7% of the Mediterranean coastline.
Most of these beaches (about 70) are
located within city bounds.
• The Mediterranean coastline includes
some 130 kilometers of undeclared
beaches.

Towards a Cleaner Coast

Acre beaches:
While it is clear that the financial aid provided by Before Cleanup. Photo: Hilik Klosky
the Ministry of the Environment to local authorities After Cleanup. Photo: Ilan Swissa
should help them rid their beaches of unsightly
waste, cleanups alone are not enough. Ultimate
responsibility for beach cleanliness rests with the
public. It is up to each and every individual to
stop littering. It is up to each and every individual
to ensure that the Mediterranean and Red Sea
coastlines are protected not only today, but
tomorrow as well.

7
 RONEN ALKALAY ON THE CLEAN COAST PROJECT
Marine Inspector, Marine and Coastal Environment Division

How does this campaign differ from previous ones?

This campaign is different because it integrates both treatment and prevention and is based on
a partnership between local authorities, the Ministry of the Environment, the Nature and Parks
Authority and the general public.
There are three aspects to the litter problem. We know that it is easier to discard waste on a beach
Improving the which is already littered than on a clean beach. It is much harder to discard a plastic bag, ice
environment
and preserving cream stick or soda can on a pristine beach. Therefore the first aspect of our campaign is to clean
open spaces up our beaches. To make this happen, the Ministry of the Environment is providing financial aid to
local authorities to help them clean up undeclared beaches in their jurisdiction.
Secondly, we are committed to educating the public which uses the beach. The idea is to work
with them, not against them. Therefore, marine inspectors of the Ministry of the Environment along
Preventing
marine and with inspectors of the Nature and Parks Authority and volunteers from the general public spend
water pollution weekends on the beach, distributing garbage bags and speaking to people in an effort to drive
and restoring the message home. Thus, the second aspect of the campaign is to keep the beaches clean, to
rivers
stop people from littering.
The third aspect is ongoing education within the formal and informal education systems, based on
the belief that in order to get long-term results we have to first focus on our youth – especially on
Treating the youngest ages between kindergarten and sixth grade. At this age children are impressionable
life-threatening
hotspots and are ready to assimilate the message. They have no problem in turning to their parents and
telling them to stop littering and clean up.
Can we point to any improvements?
We have seen improvements in many of our beaches as demonstrated by the weekly index on beach
Treating cleanliness which is published on our Hebrew website. Yet it would be arrogant for me to say that a
municipal,
industrial and revolution has already occurred. The task before us is long and hard. As far as I am concerned, the
agricultural indicator for success will not be a cleaner beach but rather a beach where people do not litter.
waste
In the past, we put our emphasis on coastal cleanup campaigns which focused on the number
of tons of garbage which were collected. Today the emphasis is on prevention. We now realize
that the litter problem can only be solved by means of education targeted at changing public
attitudes and behavior.
Developing
tools for What are your hopes for the future?
improving We are short of human resources and our budget is inadequate, but the major problem is lack of
service and
professionalism public awareness. If we could get to every person on the beach and find the right words to impress
upon him or her the importance of keeping the beach clean, we will have achieved our goal.
In this respect, we are very lucky to have a dedicated group of volunteers helping us – a "Coast
Watch." They come from every location and represent every sector of Israeli
society. One is the daughter of a lifeguard for whom the beach was a second
home since she was two years old; another is an immigrant pensioner, with a
doctorate in material engineering, whose daily walks on the beach are part of
his daily routine; yet another is a dentistry student studying abroad who spends
his summer weekends on the beach. All share a love of the sea and a strong
commitment to do something about the litter problem.
But everyone can do something about keeping our beaches clean. If every
person would make just a small contribution, together we could accomplish a lot
and keep our coasts clean for the benefit and pleasure of all who use them.

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ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
 Cormorants at Achziv. Photo: Gidi Bettelheim

Open Space In Israel?

A As pressures for building and development
mount, government agencies and green
bodies set out to preserve quality open spaces
for 1998 based on aerial photographs and
observations (Moti Kaplan et al). In parallel, a
review of open space landscapes was conducted
based on national master plans and a statistical
analysis of agricultural areas by the Central Bureau
Open space, or more accurately, the lack of
of Statistics.
it, looms high on the country’s environmental
agenda. In fact, open space may well be
The results revealed that Israel’s built-up area
Israel’s most important – and most threatened
encompasses some 1,310 square kilometers or
– resource. The transformation of Israel into one
6% of the land area of the country – some 80% Open
of the world’s most densely populated countries
has carried a heavy toll in terms of both quality
for residential purposes in cities, suburbs and rural space may
areas. However, population density is not evenly
of life and the environment. Green lungs as well
distributed and the built-up area is not efficiently
well be
as leisure and recreation areas have dwindled,
penetration of rain into groundwater has been
utilized. In fact, some 80% of the population Israel’s most
hampered, and natural and heritage values have
resides in half of the built up space while only threatened
20% occupies the other half.
been destroyed. resource
Open spaces – including nature reserves, national
Under conditions of land scarcity and development
parks, landscape reserves, forests, riversides,
pressures, planners have been forced to grapple
agricultural areas and other spaces such as fallow
with the question of which areas may be
fields – constitute some 94% of the total land area
transformed into built-up areas and which should
of the country.
remain as open space. Since the loss of open
space to development is an irreversible process,
However, only nature reserves, national parks and
these decisions are of critical importance.
forests are protected by legislation or by statutory
master plans. The rest of the country's open space
Open Vs. Built-Up Space: The Facts
– including agricultural areas and fallow fields
In order to chart a path to the future, knowledge of – is either unprotected or minimally protected
the present is necessary. Therefore, an assessment and therefore subject to constant pressure for
of the distribution of built-up space was made development.

9
Improving the environment and preserving open spaces

spaces according to the following

criteria: vulnerability, continuity
and functionality. The integration
of these criteria provided a basis
for delineating the "value" of open
spaces throughout the country.
Improving the This methodology has been crucial
environment in helping to direct development
and preserving
open spaces to areas with relatively low value
while preserving high value open
spaces and was implemented
in the Integrated Master Plan for
Building, Planning and Conservation
Preventing
marine and (Plan 35) and in regional master
water pollution plans.
and restoring
rivers
From Surveys to Plans
In recent years, both governmental
and green bodies have carried
Treating out comprehensive surveys on
life-threatening
hotspots national and regional scales in order
to identify open spaces worthy
of preservation. On the basis of
these surveys, policy proposals
Treating for conservation and sustainable
municipal, development were prepared for
industrial and
agricultural areas such as the Jerusalem Hills
waste and Judean Plain, the Negev
and coastal sand areas.

Ecological Corridors as Conservation

Developing
tools for
improving
service and
professionalism
Determining the Value of Open Spaces
Recognition of the growing threat to the country's
open spaces has led Israel's green bodies to band
together in a campaign to preserve open spaces.
As part of the campaign, countrywide studies and
surveys were conducted to assess the importance
of open spaces in terms of their characteristics and
intrinsic potential for a variety of functions.
Within the framework of Israel 2020, the non-statutory
master plan for the 21st century, the Ministry of
the Environment prepared open space sensitivity
maps which classified and characterized open
Tools: Based on an ecosystem
assessment of open natural
landscapes, the Nature and
Parks Authority prepared recommendations for the
protection of ecological corridors which provide
conduits for the passage of animals and plants
in a fragmented landscape and allow for the
exchange of genetic material with neighboring
populations. The assessment highlighted
the importance of two rare and threatened
ecosystems: aquatic ecosystems and the sand
and kurkar rocks along the Mediterranean
shoreline. It also recommended four major axes
for protection as ecological corridors.
Open Space Survey: The National Board for Planning
and Building commissioned an open space survey,

cont. p.12

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ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29

Facts to Remember
• Since its establishment in 1948 until today, Israel's population
has increased more than eightfold – reaching 6.9 million in
2005.
• Average population growth in recent years is about 2%.
• More than 90% of the population resides in urban centers.
• Average population density reached 304 per square kilometer
in 2004 – nearly 40% more than in 1990.
• By 2020, the population is expected to reach some 8.4 million
and population density may reach 858 people per square
kilometer north of Beersheba.
• By 2020, floor space per person in Israel is expected to reach
40 meters per person – double that today.
• In 1998, the built-up space in Israel totaled 1,300 square
kilometers – 6% of the land area of the country.
• The most densely populated regions in Israel are Tel Aviv and
Jerusalem. The most sparsely populated are the north and
south.
• The Negev, in the south of the country, makes up about two-
thirds of the total land area but only 2% of the built area.
• Out of 366 square kilometers of sand which existed along the
coastal plain in the beginning of the 20th century, only 190
square kilometers remain, of which only 110 are undisturbed.
Nearly half of the undisturbed sand is designated for
development by national and regional plans.
• The national master plan for forests designates 1,620 square
kilometers for forests – about 7% of the total area of the
country.
• The national master plan for nature reserves and national parks
designates more than 20% of the land area of the country for
protected areas.
• Most of Israel's nature reserves are in the south of the country
(covering nearly 20% of the Negev) and only 3% are in the
Mediterranean area.
Carmel landscape. Photo: Michal Ben-Shushan
LEGAL LANDMARKS IN OPEN SPACE PROTECTION
• 1951: Preparation of Israel’s first physical plan, under
the direction of architect Arieh Sharon, which relates to
development and population dispersal, but also to the
allocation of land for nature reserves and parks.
• 1963: Enactment of the National Parks and Nature Reserves
Law (revised in 1992 and 1998 and 2004), which provides
the legal framework for the conservation of the country’s
natural and cultural heritage.
• 1981: Government approval of the National Master Plan
for National Parks and Nature Reserves (Plan 8), which
sets aside more than 20% of the land area of the country
for conservation.
• 1990-1997: Preparation of Israel 2020 – Israel’s non-statutory
master plan for the 21st century, which placed the issue
of open space depletion on the national agenda.
• 1993: Government approval of the National Master Plan
for Building, Development and Immigrant Absorption (Plan
31), a five-year plan which allowed the absorption of a
million immigrants from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s
while providing for open space protection. The plan will
remain valid until government approval of the National
Master Plan for Building, Development and Conservation
(Plan 35).
• 1996: Approval of the National Master Plan for Afforestation
(Plan 22), which protects 1,600 square kilometers of planted
forests and natural woodlands.
• 1990s: Preparation and approval of regional master
plans, giving greater priority to conservation-worthy
areas including rivers and their environs and metropolitan
parks.
• 2004: Enactment of the Law for the Protection of the
Coastal Environment, aimed at protecting and preserving
the Mediterranean coastal environment and its natural
assets.
• 2004: Initiation of a National Master Plan on Rivers and
Drainage, highlighting the preservation and restoration of
rivers and their vicinity for both ecological and recreational
purposes.
• 2005: Approval of the Integrated National Master Plan
for Building, Development and Conservation (Plan 35)
by the National Board for Planning and Building. The
plan, initiated in the mid-1990s, gives equal weight to
open spaces and to built spaces or areas designated for
development. It divides the country into different "textures"
and distinguishes between different levels of development
worthy areas and conservation worthy areas.
11
 Improving the environment and
preserving open spaces

Golan landscape.
Photo: Ilan Malester

published in 2000, which

provides information on
precipitation, soil groups,
rivers and watersheds,
Improving the open space with statutory
environment
and preserving protection, bird nesting
open spaces and activity areas, and
scenic routes. In parallel,
it surveys factors that
have an impact on the natural environment
Preventing such as transportation, energy infrastructures,
marine and water, sewage and solid waste as well as the built
water pollution Alona landscape. Photo: Michal Ben-Shushan
and restoring environment.
rivers
Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Coastal Judean Plain Biosphere Reserve: This report, published
Sand: The Ministry of the Environment, Nature and in 2004 by the Ministry of the Interior, National Land
Parks Authority, Jewish National Fund, Society Authority, Ministry of the Environment, Nature and
Treating for the Protection of Nature and Hydrological Parks Authority and Jewish National Fund proposes
life-threatening Service published a policy document in 2003 on a comprehensive plan for a biosphere reserve in
hotspots the preservation and sustainable development the Judean Plain, a transition zone between the
of coastal sand landscapes. Based on the Judean mountains and the coastal plain and a
classification of different blocks of coastal sand, boundary between the humid and the arid areas of the
planning principles were formulated. country. Planning guidelines determine development
Treating
municipal, and conservation possibilities in each of the five
The Rivers of Israel: Policy and Planning Principles: This
industrial and zones which were delineated - a preserved core, a
agricultural policy paper, published in 2004 by the Ministry of
waste
controlled core, a controlled buffer, an integrated
the Environment, summarizes the experience of
buffer, and a transition zone.
ten years of river planning and restoration in Israel
along with the experience accumulated in other On the Road Toward Implementation
countries. The document emphasizes the place
When it was first established in 1948, some 850,000
Developing of rivers in national planning and their function as
tools for people inhabited the State of Israel and population
central axes in the open space system. Planning
improving density was a mere 43 per square kilometer. The
service and principles relate to the hydrological, ecological
objective at the time was to "conquer the wilderness"
professionalism and social aspects of river restoration.
or in the words of a popular song to "dress the land
Preserving Open Spaces in Israel – Policy and Tools: in concrete and cement."
This document, published in 2003 by the Society
Times have changed. Open spaces are no longer
for the Protection of Nature, Nature and Parks
seen as mere reserves for development. They
Authority, Ministry of the Environment, Jewish
are beginning to be recognized as possessing
National Fund and Planning Administration of
their own intrinsic value. The objective among
the Ministry of the Interior, aims to define national
planners today is to preserve contiguous open belts
policy and operational tools to preserve and use
alongside rivers from source to mouth, safeguard
the country’s open spaces in a sustainable manner,
agricultural and rural landscapes, protect shorelines
which ensures the needs of present and future
and develop parks and gardens for the benefit of
generations while preserving nature, landscapes,
the population. With the groundwork in place, the
environmental functions and human heritage. The
time for implementation has begun.
document relates to economic, legislative, social,
and other tools.

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ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
 MOTI KAPLAN ON OPEN SPACES
Environmental and Regional Planner
Why is the issue of open spaces so
important?
It is our responsibility to leave open spaces
for the benefit of future generations.
Private interests, however legitimate,
cannot rob future generations of their
right to open space. Land, unlike any
other resource, is irreplaceable. Demand
will always exceed supply. Therefore,
Alona landscape. Photo: Michal Ben-Shushan
we have to be more tightfisted in our
allocation of land for building and
development.
At the same time, we must find ways to preserve quality open
spaces. Fortunately, Israel’s planning agencies understand this. It
is now time for decision makers to understand this as well and not
to allow the random dispersal of building and development.
How can we ensure that quality open spaces will be preserved for present
and future generations?
Over the next two decades, some 60,000 hectares will be
transformed from open space to built up space - in addition
to the 130,000 hectares which are already built up. While this
development is needed to meet the legitimate needs of the
population, we must find ways to direct development to specific
areas, such as the metropolitan area of Beersheba, while
assuring that the urban population will enjoy all of the necessary
services in terms of infrastructure, employment, education, and
more. The idea is to preserve the continuity of our open spaces
without fragmenting them. For this reason, planning should first
concentrate on saturating existing urban entities and the areas
directly adjacent to them. We have to relate to the urban fabric
more seriously, to preserve and enhance what already exists
rather than seek "quick fixes" to the problems of neglected and
deteriorating urban spaces by destroying open spaces.
How can we revitalize our cities?
One of the things we are working on is the rehabilitation of
urban rivers. Until now urban rivers were viewed as negative
factors – infested with mosquitoes and wastes, associated with
flooding and neglect. The idea is to highlight the enormous
potential of urban rivers as green lungs which respond to the
social, cultural and psychological needs of city residents. Rivers
can improve the city image, provide a sense of belonging,
draw investments and tourism, and provide a meeting and
recreation point for residents. We must provide planners, city
engineers and ecologists with the opportunity to bring nature
into the city.
What is Israel doing to preserve open spaces
outside of urban areas?
One initiative, for example, relates to
the preservation of agricultural areas,
which make up the lion’s share of open
spaces in Israel. There is a lot of pressure
to convert these areas into built up areas,
but it is in the national interest to preserve
our agricultural areas as much as possible.
Fortunately, with the help of the Fund for
the Advancement of Landscape and
Environmental Values in Israeli Agricultural Regions, surveys
and research studies have been initiated which look beyond
the economic aspect of agriculture to its landscape, visual,
ecological and cultural value.
I am now working on the theoretical basis for the preservation
of agricultural landscapes. The idea is to map and identify
Israel’s agricultural landscapes - wheat in the Negev, terraces
in the Judean Mountains, vineyards in the north - and then
to assess and valuate them in terms of their contribution to
landscape, culture, tourism, etc. We have already identified
some 20-30 agricultural forms which tell a local story and
reflect different periods and cultures. Hopefully this will give
legitimacy to the conservation of agricultural landscapes.
What is Israel doing to ensure that those areas identified as worthy of
preservation will indeed be preserved?
The National Master Plan for Building, Development and
Conservation identified a series of scenic open spaces
which are especially worthy of preservation, which require
the preparation of detailed plans. They include Bikat HaNadiv
and its vicinity, the Shiqma River, the Ayalon River and the
Poleg River.
I am currently working on the detailed plan for the Bikat
HaNadiv region, situated between the metropolitan areas
of Tel Aviv and Haifa. This is the first area for which a detailed
plan is being formulated and as such will serve as a model
for other preservation worthy areas. It was chosen due to
the multitude of values which characterize it – agriculture,
archaeology, sea, nature and prime location – all of which
combine to make it especially susceptible to development
pressures. The challenge is to determine land uses for this
region which protect its unique features while allowing for
controlled and balanced development.
13
 Improving the environment and preserving open spaces

Toward Metropolitan Parks:

The Case Of The
Improving the
environment
Ayalon Park
F
and preserving
open spaces

From garbage mountain to flowering park: A major landmark in the planned Ayalon Park will
transforming vision into reality be the rehabilitated Hiriya landfill which served
Preventing the Tel Aviv metropolitan area for fifty years until
marine and A new term has been introduced into Israel's it was closed down in 1998. This geometrically
water pollution planning jargon – metropolitan parks. Throughout shaped landfill looks like a table mountain, with
and restoring
rivers the country – in the Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv steep slopes descending into the banks of the
and central regions – metropolitan parks have two rivers surrounding it – the Ayalon River and
begun to appear on planning maps. In the central
region of the country alone, no less than eight View from Hiriya. Photographer: Danny
metropolitan parks have been designated. Sternberg
Treating
life-threatening
hotspots What is a metropolitan park? How does it differ from
an urban park, national park or nature reserve? These
are some of the questions addressed in an
ongoing study initiated in 2002 by the Ministry
Treating
municipal, of the Environment, the Jerusalem Institute for
industrial and Israel Studies and the Society for the Protection
agricultural of Nature in Israel.
waste

According to the interim conclusions, a Metropolitan Parks – Goals and Aims

metropolitan park is a large open area,
characterized by a variety of natural and
Developing
tools for landscape features and/or by continuous open
improving areas such as large expanses of agricultural land,
service and which responds to social needs for recreation and
professionalism
leisure. Metropolitan parks are rooted in regional
plans and are situated in close proximity to urban
centers but not within city bounds, thus serving as
buffers between built-up urban entities.
The Ayalon Park: A Park in the Making
The Ayalon Park is a salient example of a
metropolitan park in the making. The April 2005
government decision to establish the 800-hectare
Ayalon Park was a major victory not only for the
country's green organizations, which battled
long and hard for the park, but for the 1.5 million
residents of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
• To address social needs for leisure and
recreation in close proximity to major urban
areas.
• To preserve continuous open spaces as
buffers between built-up areas.
• To protect nature and landscape resources
and biodiversity and to serve as ecological
corridors.
• To contribute to quality of life and the
environment and to the image of the city
and the region.
• To stimulate plans for urban open spaces
adjacent to the park.
• To create an area with high educational
value for environmental and physical
education.
• To create a place of refuge and rest.
• To contribute to the infiltration of runoff.

14
ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29

the Shapirim River. Its summit offers a
panoramic view of the entire southern
part of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
The plan calls for the transformation
of this landfill, long an aesthetic blight
in the center of the country, into a
central element at the heart of the
new park.
The rehabilitated Hiriya landfill will
be integrated into the park as a
dramatic hill adjacent to agricultural
fields, an archaeological site and the
historic Mikveh-Yisrael agricultural
school. Some parts of the park will
be designated for recreation and
leisure, others for a waste recycling
park, and yet others for floodwater
collection.
Toward Development of the Ayalon Park
The April 2005 government decision on
the Ayalon Park made it abundantly
clear that public parks are not real
estate. Based on the decision, an
interministerial committee is drafting
recommendations for the creation of
an administrative body which will be
responsible for establishing, planning,
developing and maintaining the
park.
Although there is still much to do
– technically and financially – plans
for the implementation of the park
are definitely progressing. Last year,
on the holiday of Tu B'Shvat (Arbor
Day), children from about 100 schools
took part in a major tree-planting
ceremony at the park. Today, bicycle
paths are in service and waste
recycling and methane collection are
already a reality in Hiriya. Hopes are
ripe that plans for what promises to be
one of the world's most unique parks
– environmentally, economically and
socially - will indeed be fulfilled.
MARTIN WEYL ON THE AYALON PARK
Director of the Beracha Foundation, Former Director of the Israel Museum.
The Beracha Foundation is the motivating force behind the idea
to transform the former Hiriya garbage mountain into the heart
of a major metropolitan park. Israel Environment Bulletin talked
to the Director of the Beracha Foundation, Dr. Martin Weyl, on
June 6, 2005 to find out the "hows" and "whys" of the Foundation’s
involvement in the Ayalon Park project.
Why did you choose to concentrate your efforts on the transformation of Hiriya from the most infamous
garbage mountain in the country into the center of a major metropolitan park?
I have always been bothered by Hiriya, how it looked, how it smelled and what it
represented: lack of wise ecological management. The site resembled a wound in the
heart of the country, something nearly immoral, a place that had no place in decent
society. I wanted to change this.
What did you do to promote your vision?
I tried to interest different environmental organizations in my ideas as far back as 1996-7,
but no one was interested. Therefore, I took a lift with a garbage truck to the top of the
garbage mountain to look for myself. I became convinced that something interesting
could be done.
Fortunately, the time was right. Hiriya was in the process of being shut down. I came
up with the idea of calling on artists to come up with proposals for changing the dump
into an interesting new site open to the public. I managed to convince the chairman
of the Dan Association of Towns for Sanitation of the possibilities. I also convinced the
Board of Directors of the Beracha Foundation to organize a major exhibition which
would show what could be done. The idea was conceptual – to focus attention on this
garbage mountain and see if it was possible to change it from a negative symbol to
a positive icon.
I used the exhibition in a political way and invited all of the relevant people - representatives
of the Ministry of the Environment, other government ministries, Jewish National Fund,
planning authorities, the Speaker of the Knesset, mayors of the surrounding municipalities.
It was then that the district planner of Tel Aviv came up to me and asked whether the
Beracha Foundation could become involved not only in Hiriya but also in its surroundings
in order to transform the entire 800-hectare area into a major metropolitan park.
What was the next step?
I strongly believe that if you do something you should do it
right - at the highest level and at the highest quality. Since
Israel did not have the experience to plan such a site, we
sought the help of top international specialists with expertise
in the rehabilitation and development of contaminated
areas.
Most importantly, we were able to form a unique coalition
of public and private bodies which allowed us to do things
that government bodies could not do. We brought in top
specialists, held seminars, workshops and an architectural
charrette, published papers and developed a master plan with the aid of landscape
architects from all over the world and Israel. This allowed us to "oil" the machinery,
establish facts, raise awareness, promote educational activities and continue with a
more detailed plan of the park at the highest possible level.
Just last summer, we organized an anonymous international competition for landscape
15
Improving the environment and preserving open spaces

The Ayalon Park:

Historical Landmarks planning of the garbage mountain, with the aim
of turning it into a park, and have subsequently
• 1998 Hiriya landfill shut down following
opened an exhibition at the Tel Aviv Museum.
nearly 50 years of service.
• 1998 Tel Aviv District Planner initiates
Are you pleased with the progress made?
a statutory outline plan (Plan 5/3) for
A park like this cannot be built overnight. We are
Improving the the area of the Ayalon Park aimed at
environment proceeding in sections according to the funding
and preserving changing its designation from agricultural
opportunities. While more detailed planning is
open spaces land to "reserve for park uses."
still required, we can already start to implement
• 1999 International exhibition of proposals
the Hiriya part of the plan where the land is
by artists and architects for the restoration
available. Other parts will take longer.
of Hiriya in the Tel Aviv Museum.
Preventing
Without doubt a major milestone in the process
• 2001 International planning workshop to
marine and was the unanimous decision of the National
water pollution formulate pragmatic recommendations
Planning and Building Board to approve the
and restoring for advancing the Hiriya rehabilitation
rivers park plan. This may be attributed to effective
plan.
though quiet lobbying and to the fact that the
• 2002 Outline Plan 5/3 is deposited for
Prime Minister was behind the plan. It has been
objections. Twenty objections are filed
said that "success has many fathers but failure is
between September 2003 and February
Treating an orphan." The fact that we were able to build
life-threatening 2004.
up a coalition of so many interested groups is a
hotspots • 2003 International planning workshop
symbolic event in Israel’s environmental history.
(Charrette), attended by 30 experts,
The ripples grew larger and larger and more
lays the groundwork for the Ayalon Park
and more people became involved.
master plan.
Treating • 2004 Subcommittee of the National
municipal, What are your wishes for the future?
industrial and Planning and Building Board gives a go-
I hope that this international effort based
agricultural ahead to the Ayalon Park and rejects
waste on stakeholder participation will become a
demands for residential building on some
model of how to rally socio-political, cultural,
of the land designated for the park.
and economic resources around the cause
• 2005 Israel government approves a
of the urban environment and to create
decision to establish the Ayalon Park in
ecological and community consciousness in
Developing an area spanning 800 hectares.
tools for the process.
improving In the case of Hiriya, it seems to me that the big
service and battles have already been won and the time
professionalism
has now come to put the technical aspects
Hiriya: ID Card into place. Although there is still much to do,
• Operated as the main landfill of the
it is important for me to transmit the message
Tel Aviv metropolitan area for nearly
that it is still possible to transform even the most
50 years (1952-1998)
environmentally degraded area into something
• Quantity of accumulated waste: about
positive, interesting and even beautiful. It is my
16 million m3
hope that Hiriya and its environs will indeed
• Height above the surrounding area
be transformed into a high quality park whose
– about 60 m
special design will attract visitors from Israel and
• Height above sea level – about 80 m
abroad.
• Average slope gradient: 1:1.4
• Area: about 50 hectares

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ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
 Shoham gardens. Photo: Judy Elispor
Open Spaces In
Urban Places
L Less than 10 square meters of land for urban
parks and gardens are allocated in Israel per
person, less than half the amount in Western
countries
Urban public open spaces are all too frequently
viewed as free real estate, empty spaces in which
to build and develop. Yet, open space is a vital
component of urban environmental quality. If a
city cannot provide quality open space to its
residents, they will seek green spaces elsewhere,
opting for one-story houses in the suburbs and thus
accelerating the vicious cycle of open space
depletion. Recognition of these simple facts has
led the Ministry of the Environment to pay closer
Top to bottom: Galia
Ben-Shoham, Eyal Mitrani,
Amir Balaban
attention to the subject of open spaces in urban
places.
The move was triggered by developments outside
of Israel, such as the UK initiative "Green Spaces,
Better Places," and by growing public demand
for urban parks in Israel itself. Yet, despite growing
public concern, there was no single agency
ready to take responsibility for the issue. Rather,
responsibility was dispersed among different
government ministries and authorities - Ministry
of the Interior, Ministry of Housing, local authorities
and landscape architects and gardeners. The
Ministry of the Environment decided to meet the
challenge.
17
Improving the environment and preserving open spaces

Photo: Eyal Yaffe Examples from the Field

Israel’s unique conditions – population growth,
rapid development and an urban population
- make the preservation of open spaces for
the benefit of its citizens an imperative. Yet, as
demonstrated by a study commissioned by
Improving the the Ministry of the Environment, Israel's urban
environment population is being denied its right to open
and preserving
open spaces space in the quantity and quality necessary. For
example, in a Lod neighborhood, planned for a
population of 14,000, only 1.15 square meters of
parks per capita have been allocated, although
Preventing Israel's guidelines require a minimum of 5 square
marine and meters per capita at neighborhood level. And
water pollution to make matters worse, Lod does not even have
and restoring
rivers a single urban park or sufficient open spaces to
serve as neighborhood parks.

Even when land is allocated for public open

Treating
life-threatening Urban Open Spaces – The Statutory
hotspots And Planning Aspects
A study commissioned by the Ministry of the
Environment on the statutory and planning
Treating aspects of urban open spaces surveyed
municipal, more than 100 plans in 11 cities, reviewed
industrial and
agricultural guidelines approved by the government
waste in 2001 on the allocation of land for public
purposes and compared conditions in Israel
to conditions worldwide. Following are some
of the findings:
Developing • Israel’s guidelines on the allocation of open
tools for space in terms of square meters per capita
improving are much lower than in other countries.
service and
professionalism • While Europe and the U.S. allocate more
than 20 square meters of land for urban
parks and gardens per capita, Israel’s
guidelines call for half this amount – less
than 10 square meters per person.
• Deviations in plans are often allowed for
the construction of public institutions or
even infrastructure at the expense of open
spaces.
• Many public open spaces are left derelict
and remain undeveloped.
• The hierarchy of parks – city, quarter,
neighborhood – is either inadequate or
non-existent.
space, it is not always developed for parks and
gardens. Thus, in Tel Aviv only 70% of the public
open spaces are developed, in Jerusalem (2003
figures) only 52% are developed and in Rahat
(the largest Bedouin settlement in Israel’s south),
only one park exists. What's more, in Beersheba,
for example, park maintenance is inadequate
and existing parks are not adapted to climatic
conditions in the Negev.
To make matters worse, all too often changes in
the designation of open spaces are allowed for
public institutions or even for roads, commerce
or parking. In Kiryat Gat, cultural institutions were
built in open spaces designated for parks. In
Beersheba, a technological college will be built
on a one-hectare area within the bounds of a
neighborhood park spanning three hectares
and none of the urban renewal projects currently
include neighborhood parks.
So What’s Being Done?
How to preserve green spaces in urban places?
The Ministry of the Environment believes that the
dearth of both quantity and quality in urban
public open space is largely the result of lack
of awareness and knowledge among planning
agencies and local authorities. Therefore, in
cooperation with other bodies, it is publishing
(cont. p. 21)

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ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
 The Gardens of Holon
Some 180,000 people live in Holon, a
major city in the central region of Israel,
which aims to be a national cultural
center for children and families. In
recent years, special attention has been
focused on cultivating the appearance
of the city with "green lungs." There are
dozens of public parks and gardens
in Holon, but the most unique are 13
Bustan Brody: The Story of a Community Garden fairytale gardens. These public gardens
display outdoor sculptures created by
It all started a little more than a year ago with a knock on the door of one of the residents
well-known artists, which are inspired
of Brody Street in the Kiryat Shmuel neighborhood of Jerusalem. A representative
by children’s poems and stories. The
of the Ginot Ha'Ir Community Center wanted to know how to get in touch with
combination of literature with plastic
representatives of the "House Committees" in the nearby apartment buildings. The
arts is serving a twin function: increasing
reason – an initiative to turn a neglected plot of wasted land, previously the target
the children’s love of literature while
of building plans, into a community garden.
developing the "green lungs" of
The response was enthusiastic. With the Community Center serving as coordinator Holon.
and organizer, events were planned to transform vision into reality, most of them
scheduled to coincide with national or religious holidays: Park Rehabilitation in Taibe
• August 5, 2004: General cleanup day, with the participation of entire families, There are only two public parks in
coinciding with Tu B'Av, celebrated as the Day of Love for the Environment. the Arab city of Taibe, serving a
• January 14, 2005: Planting day, coinciding with Tu B'Shvat or Arbor Day. population of some 34,000 residents.
• March 18, 2005: Wood chip covering day, coinciding with the holiday of Purim. Both are small and run-down. But
Additional activities included the placement of small rocks and the planting of small things may well change as the result
plants around the edges to define the garden area, outdoor classes on ecological of a unique competition initiated by the
gardening for young and old, and even the burning of chametz (fermented grain) Al-Tanmiyeh w'al-Tahsil (Development
just prior to the holiday of Passover. and Achievement) association: a
prize-bearing school competition to
Today, the 2,000 square meter triangular garden is beginning to take shape. The rehabilitate one of the parks. Many of
cooperative effort initiated and organized by the Community Center, with initial the local children prepared models – a
funds from the municipality and a lot of good will and volunteerism on the part of stream running through the park, a fish
the residents, is making a difference. Municipal funds, supplemented by donations pond, a zoo, and even a tram.
from the residents, have helped to buy and deliver soil and saplings for planting and
to set up an automatic irrigation system, representatives of the Jerusalem branch Yet the competition stimulated more
of the Society for the Protection of Nature provided guidelines on what and where than models alone. A group of sixth
to plant, while the residents themselves took part in the events, sold drinks to gather grade girls prepared documents on
additional funds, and even provided musical entertainment on each occasion. Each the status of the park, including a
event became a festive happening. In June 2005, even the mayor of Jerusalem map of different plots and proposals
himself showed up to plant a tree. for rehabilitation, and sent letters
Ideas for the future abound. Benches, urban ecology, bird watching – these are just to commercial companies and
some of the plans on the agenda. But most important is the community spirit, the sense government officials asking them to
of participation felt by young and old alike. In planning "Bustan Brody," the residents help. This catalyzed the municipality
of this neighborhood got together to identify community needs and accommodate to have a local engineer prepare a
community interests for the benefit of all. The result: bonfires for youngsters on the detailed plan for park rehabilitation
holiday of Lag Ba'Omer, composters for the ecologically inclined, walks, talks, events, so that donations may be solicited.
music and even designated spaces for dog owners. Moreover, the residents themselves
have taken up the idea, promising to
From a neglected plot of land, "Bustan Brody" is being transformed into a green donate materials and manpower to
space for the benefit and enjoyment of community members, a place to meet, help transform vision into reality.
chat, rest and dream.

19
Improving the environment and preserving open spaces
GALIA BEN-SHOHAM ON URBAN PARKS
Why did the Ministry of the Environment
decide to promote the subject of urban
parks?
Improving the In recent years, we have
environment become increasingly aware
and preserving
open spaces that park development is a major
environmental issue especially in
a small and densely populated
country where more than 90%
Preventing of the population resides in
marine and urban areas. To a large extent,
water pollution
and restoring the existence of quality open spaces is an
rivers indicator of quality of life and quality of the
environment in an urban setting.
Our determination was reinforced by the results
Treating of a survey on environmental considerations
life-threatening in municipal elections, which was conducted
hotspots
a couple of years ago. The findings showed
that urban residents attribute high importance
to environmental issues, with parks and green
Treating spaces coming in second among a long list of
municipal, environmental subjects which are of special
industrial and concern to the public (preceded only by
agricultural
waste urban cleanliness).
What is the Ministry of the Environment doing to
promote urban parks?
Developing The ministry serves as a watchdog in the
tools for country’s planning agencies when it comes
improving to the quantity, quality and hierarchy of public
service and
professionalism parks at the municipal level. We are working
hard to assure that planning agencies do not
yield to pressures to establish educational,
religious or cultural institutions on areas
allocated for public open space.
But that’s not all. We are currently working on
professional assessments and action plans for
public urban open space which relate to four
major realms: planning, social, management
and maintenance, and funding. On the
planning front, in cooperation with other
ministries and authorities, we are preparing
20
ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
guidelines targeted at the
country’s planning agencies.
On the social front, we are
drafting background papers
and guidelines which relate to
ways of planning urban parks
which respond to the needs of
the residents, young and old.
This may relate, for example,
to the optimal arrangement of
benches –facing each other to
promote conversation among young people
or facing the playground to watch children
play for the older population – or to the best
use of lighting so that the park is lit up without
disturbing nearby residents.
What did the study on the planning aspects of public
urban open space reveal?
It revealed that the situation is not good.
First, the allocation of public open space
for urban parks is lower in Israel than in the
developed world. Second, even when public
open space is allocated, local authorities do
not necessarily develop it. Third, when open
space is allocated for parks, the designation
is often subject to change to allow for other
uses such as public buildings. Fourth, in
order to meet quotas for open space, local
authorities tend to allocate the "leftovers" of
planning. This means that small strips around
buildings or traffic islands are painted green
on planning documents as if they were public
open spaces. Fifth, public open spaces are
often used for other purposes such as water
towers or water pools.
What can be done to ensure that public open space
is allocated for parks?
We have to give decision makers and planners
the right tools. Therefore, the Ministry of the
Environment and the Ministry of the Interior
are preparing a manual, in cooperation with
other government ministries, local authorities

and NGOs, on the quality and hierarchy of
public open space. We are also organizing
seminars and training sessions to generate the
necessary awareness and knowledge to bring
about the necessary changes.
What should the public do?
Public participation and involvement are of
major importance. For example, in the hierarchy
of urban parks, community and neighborhood
gardens are often initiated bottom-up, by
community centers, green groups, grassroots
organizations and concerned citizens.
There are examples of initiatives throughout
the country where residents have taken
responsibility for the maintenance and
enhancement of existing gardens or for the
planning and development of new parks or
agricultural gardens. The idea is to transform
neglected areas into community gardens in
which all sectors of the population can take
part.
Experience has shown that the development
of community parks and gardens strengthens
the community and fosters a feeling of
involvement and belonging. We have also
found that when residents take an active part
in planning and maintaining community parks,
vandalism is significantly reduced.
Playground in Shoham. Photo: Judy Elispor
cont. from p.18
studies, preparing guidelines, setting thresholds
for open public spaces in urban renewal plans,
organizing seminars and workshops and promoting
awareness through its website.
In February 2005, the Environment Ministry published
a manual entitled "Revitalizing Urban Parks: How
to Develop Friendly Gardens," a first in a series of
manuals aimed at increasing municipal awareness
of the importance of public parks. The manual
includes chapters on public parks, community parks
and urban ecology, and surveys success stories
worldwide. Yet another study, prepared jointly by
the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry
of the Interior, is nearing completion. It will provide
the necessary tools for planners to assure that the
public is indeed provided with a sufficient number
of quality open spaces. Quality of life
depends on
Some Bright Spots
the quality
Today, there are already some signs of progress.
Cities such as Modi’in, Tel Aviv, and Holon have
of the urban
given high priority to the development and environment
maintenance of high-quality urban parks. Modi’in,
in fact, is the only city actually to exceed the
government guidelines on the allocation of open
spaces for parks while in Tel Aviv and Holon, the
municipalities have compensated for lack of
quantity by quality.
Furthermore, new master plans for Jerusalem,
Modi’in and Karmiel incorporate quality open
spaces, plans in Tel Aviv and Kfar Saba are based
on a green backbone, and efforts to improve
the green appearance of the city are visible in
Ra’anana and Ashdod.
There is no doubt that awareness of the importance
of urban open space is growing. Residents in several
localities are beginning to demand quality as well
as quantity as they realize that the quality of their
life depends, to a great degree, on the quality of
their urban environment.
Throughout the country, people are beginning
to recognize that urban parks and gardens can
provide a green refuge from the hectic pace of
modern city life, that they are key elements in
urban renewal, public health, quality of life and
community identity.
21
Preventing marine and water pollution and restoring rivers

Jordan River.
Photo: Itamar
Grinberg

Improving the
environment
and preserving
open spaces

Preventing
marine and
water pollution
and restoring
rivers

Treating
life-threatening

The Water Connection

hotspots

W
Treating "Water, the life source, is the continuum, the place on Peace Island (located in the middle
municipal,
industrial and strand that connects people" of the river) at the initiative of FoEME and with
agricultural (From "Crossing the Jordan" by Friends of the the sponsorship of international and national
waste organizations. At the conference, Prince Hassan
Earth Middle East)
Bin Talal of Jordan joined Israel's Environment
The water connection is the motif linking two
Minister Shalom Simhon in mapping out a strategy
projects initiated by the regional NGO Friends of
for saving the river and its environs.
the Earth Middle East: "Crossing the Jordan" and
Developing
tools for "Good Water Neighbors." According to Gidon
improving
One of the highlights of the conference was
Bromberg, Israeli director of FoEME, "Water is a
service and the release of a 32-page concept document
professionalism bridge – it brings people together."
by FoEME entitled "Crossing the Jordan." The
document identifies the causes for the river's
Over the past few years, Israelis, Palestinians and
deterioration and highlights the Jordan Valley's
Jordanians, on both community and government
natural and cultural significance. But most
levels, have committed themselves to protecting
importantly, it calls on concerned governments,
their shared water resources. They have shown
in cooperation with municipalities, local residents
that a shared environment can indeed form the
and civil society groups, to adopt an action plan
common basis for action, that mutual dialogue
for the rehabilitation of the Lower Jordan River
and trust can indeed usher in a better future.
Valley and for the inscription of the Jordan River
on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Crossing the Jordan
On March 8, 2005, a conference aimed at raising The Jordan River, a holy site for Christians, Jews
awareness of the Jordan River Valley’s shared and Muslims, boasts unique natural, cultural
heritage and the need for its rehabilitation took and religious attributes. Yet the "lowest" river

22
ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29

The Big Jump. Photo: FoEME
in the world is threatened by excessive water diversion, pollution
and inappropriate development. In 50 years, its annual flow has
dramatically dropped from 1.3 billion cubic meters to less than 100
million cubic meters per year, of which some 20 million is untreated
sewage. Dams, canals and pumping stations built by Israel, Jordan
and Syria to divert water for crops and drinking have reduced the
flow by more than 90 percent. Without immediate intervention in
river rehabilitation the damage may be irreversible.
The release of the concept document marked the beginning of a
regional effort to raise the awareness of decision makers, the media
and the public of the sorry state of the Lower Jordan River. To bring
the message home, eight mayors and municipal representatives
from Palestinian, Israeli and Jordanian communities along the Jordan
River staged a "Big Jump" into the river on July 10, 2005 while calling
on their governments to clean up and rehabilitate the river now.
Good Water Neighbors
Water also stands at the basis of another unique project initiated
by FoEME in 2001 – "Good Water Makes Good Neighbors." This
community-based project aims at fostering people-to-people
information exchange, dialogue and cooperation on the protection,
reuse and sustainable use of water in Jordan, the Palestinian Authority
and Israel. To do this, a "partnering communities program" was set
up between neighboring communities, and parallel sets of "water
trustees" – schoolchildren who volunteer to work on water issues in
their community – were set up. With the support of the SMAP program
of the European Union and the Wye River program of the U.S., the
project has been successfully implemented in eleven communities
(5 Palestinian, 5 Israeli and one Jordanian).
Building on four years of experience in promoting water-related
schemes on the community level, the project is now entering a new
phase. The idea is to extend actions to target groups including not
only youth but also adults, mayors and municipal staff. The second
phase of the program will also include new communities in the
Jordan Valley and around the Dead Sea. Cross-border forums in
which participants will interact for the benefit of their communities
and for their shared environment will also be set up.
GIDON BROMBERG ON THE JORDAN
RIVER PROJECT
Israel Director, Friends of the Earth Middle East
Over the past year, FoEME has met
with key stakeholders in Israel, the
Palestinian Authority and Jordan to
better understand their concerns and
priorities for the Jordan River. In July
2004, we organized a three-day site
visit to the Lower Jordan River Valley.
The delegation visited important natural
and cultural heritage sites in the region and discussed
the river with experts and stakeholders on all sides of the
border. Assistance from all sides was heartwarming, and
cooperation was felt from the outset of the program.
Two events were held for the general public to raise
awareness of the environmental situation of the Jordan
River. The international "Jordan River Conference" was
held on March 8, 2005 at the "Peace Island" (Bakoora)
on the Jordan River, where the "Crossing the Jordan"
report was introduced to the public and the media. The
"Big Jump" into the Jordan River, held on July 10th, 2005
at the Yardenit site on the river, was a reminder to the
public that we must encourage all of our governments
to clean up the river and allow more fresh water to run
in it. Many participating guests literally jumped into the
river to emphasize the point!
We are now trying to unite forces with other parties
that are working towards the needed rehabilitation of
the Jordan River in Israel. Over the coming months we
hope to draft an overall action plan for the river, with
special focus on two core areas which include the largest
concentrations of natural and cultural sites and to initiate
lobbying efforts to submit a request for the tentative listing
of the river in the UNESCO World Heritage Listing.
The Jordan River is at a critical junction. The time has now
come for all parties to work together to rehabilitate the
Jordan. We would like to see the day when "Crossing
the Jordan" will be a cultural, historical and ecological
experience that will enrich the lives of residents and tourists
alike while preserving the
Jordan Valley's unique
heritage for generations
to come.
Water signs in
English, Hebrew
and Arabic. Photo:
FoEME
23
 Onwads towards cleaner coasts
Treating life-threatening hotspots Asbestos pipeline. Photo: Chagai Shyowitz

Improving the
environment
and preserving
open spaces

Preventing
marine and
water pollution
and restoring
rivers

Treating
life-threatening
hotspots

Confronting The
Asbestos Problem
Treating
municipal,
industrial and
agricultural

T
waste
The Ministry of the Environment is making
a concerted effort to tackle the asbestos
problem in Israel
Developing
tools for On May 25, 2005, a massive explosion rocked
improving Kibbutz Afeq in the north of Israel. The explosion
service and
professionalism – in a fireworks warehouse – slightly injured some
people and damaged property. But the initial
relief that worse damage was not done was soon
replaced by panic when residents realized that
some 10,000 square meters of asbestos roofing
were destroyed by the blast. Phones at the
Asbestos Division of the Ministry of the Environment
did not stop ringing. Should preschoolers be sent
to kindergartens? Can residents return to homes
that were not damaged by the explosion? These
were only some of the questions.
On its part, despite inadequate financial and
manpower resources, the Environment Ministry
did its best to respond to the situation on all
fronts. It provided professional guidelines on
emergency action to minimize the damage by
wetting and encapsulation as well as guidance
on containment, wetting, removal, collection
and disposal. A representative of the ministry
visited the area on a daily basis to provide
guidelines to the contractors, the kibbutz and
the residents. Transparency of information was
a priority. Throughout a three-week period, daily
monitoring was undertaken at the specific site
and in the periphery, with special attention to
kindergartens and schools. The daily results were
displayed in a prominent place for all to see. On
the first day, measurements at the focal point
of the explosion showed 1.9 fibers/cm3 and no
fibers in the periphery. By the next day, monitoring
showed a significant reduction in asbestos fibers
– evidence that the ministry's guidelines were on
target.

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ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29

Asbestos Use in Israel: 1950s-1990s
• Friable asbestos was used for thermal and
acoustic insulation, brake linings, and pical
boards in the army
• Asbestos cement (containing up to 10%
asbestos) was used for roofing, wallboards,
water and sewage pipelines and chimneys
throughout the country.
• It is estimated that some 100 million square
meters of asbestos cement still exist in
industrial buildings, agricultural structures,
roofs of private buildings, educational
institutions, parking areas, and army
camps.
The incident, according to Ms. Tamar Bar-On,
director of the Asbestos Division, underlines the
risks that citizens throughout the country face
as a result of fire, explosion and demolition work
involving asbestos containing materials.
The Facts
Asbestos was widely used in Israel following the
establishment of the Eitanit (formerly Isasbest)
asbestos cement plant in 1952. Eitanit, situated
in Nahariya in the north of Israel, was closed
down in 1997. However, the asbestos problem
has not disappeared. Surveys have shown that
asbestos waste which accumulated in the
plant was discarded throughout the area of the
Western Galilee and even sold to contractors and
individuals for such uses as roads and sidewalks,
yards and infrastructure for cowsheds and chicken
coups.
Asbestos Distribution in the Western Galilee
Concerns over exposure to asbestos in northern
Israel were awakened in the 1990s when the
municipality of Nahariya initiated infrastructure
work for an amusement park on the seashore to
the west of the Eitanit asbestos plant. Work on
the site was only halted in the wake of an appeal
to the courts by green organizations. The court
called for the preparation of an environmental
impact assessment and adopted the opinion
of an international expert commissioned by
the Ministry of the Environment that any future
development would have to take all aspects
into consideration. On its part, the Ministry of the
Environment issued orders to clean up the site in It is estimated
accordance with its guidelines. The municipality that some
cleaned up the area and the amusement park
project was subsequently shelved.
100 million
square meters
That, however, did not solve the asbestos of asbestos
problem. At the end of 2000, the Environment
Ministry initiated an asbestos distribution survey to
cement exist in
evaluate asbestos contamination in the Western Israel
Galilee. Some 53 sites were sampled in Nahariya,
in adjacent communities and villages and in waste
disposal sites. The sites were subsequently ranked
Health Impacts
Recent figures published by Israel's Ministry of Health show that the
asbestos related cancer rate in the country is on the rise, with the
current number of cases more than three times greater than in some
other countries, that about one third of the cases involve women and
that the largest concentration of disease is in the Western Galilee.
According to the professional literature, some 80% of mesothelioma
cases are directly linked to exposure to asbestos.
Considering the long latency period between the first exposure to
asbestos and the diagnosis of mesothelioma (20-40 years), increased
incidence of mesothelioma in Israel may reflect the growing use of
asbestos in Israel between the 1950s and 1970s. It is expected, therefore,
that the incidence of the disease will continue to rise. According to the
latest figures released by the Health Ministry's Cancer Registry, there
were 567 cases of the disease between 1990 and 2004.
Source: Ministry of Health
25
 Treating life-threatening hotspots
Within the framework of the regulations, the
Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the
work of an interministerial technical committee
on hazardous dust. The committee makes
recommendations to the relevant ministers on
the technical aspects of work with and use of
asbestos, authorizes laboratories and examiners
Improving the to undertake asbestos testing and monitoring,
environment establishes analytical methods for measuring
and preserving
open spaces asbestos, issues guidelines on work with friable
and non-friable asbestos, provides guidelines on
the safe use, treatment, removal and disposal of
asbestos, and serves as an information center on
Preventing asbestos. Most importantly, it issues permits for
marine and
water pollution asbestos related work, whereby asbestos is defined
and restoring in the broadest possible terms. The committee has
rivers
established a guideline value of 1400 fibers/m3 for
ambient exposure to asbestos.

Treating
life-threatening
hotspots
Asbestos pipeline. Photo: Chagai Shyowitz
into four risk levels according to the quantity and
Treating type of asbestos found. Based on the findings, the
municipal, Environment Ministry issued orders for the cleanup
industrial and
of the most seriously contaminated sites.
agricultural
waste
The Law
The Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry
of Industry, Trade and Labor (formerly the Ministry
Developing of Labor and Social Affairs) are responsible for
tools for
improving the legal aspects of asbestos use within the
service and framework of Safety at Work Regulations (Industrial
professionalism Hygiene and Public Health for Workers and the
Public Exposed to Hazardous Dust). The 1984
regulations cover the occupational and public
health aspects of the subject. They establish
standards and safety procedures, set requirements
for medical checkups, specify prohibited and
permitted substances, and establish obligations for
monitoring. The regulations set the occupational
standard for asbestos at 0.2 fibers/cm3 averaged
over an eight-hour period (TWA). While the
regulations restrict the import of asbestos and
its byproducts into Israel, in practice, there has
been no import of asbestos into the country for
several years.
Recently, the National Planning and Building
Board approved the Ministry of the Environment's
proposal for an amendment to the Planning and
Building Regulations on asbestos which will further
minimize the potential release of asbestos fibers
to the environment. The amendment prohibits
construction with asbestos materials and requires
that requests for building permits for demolition of
asbestos containing structures, asbestos removal,
or building in an area in which asbestos exists have
the approval of the technical committee.
What’s Been Done?
Information: In recent years, the Ministry of the
Environment has made a concerted effort to
tackle the asbestos problem in Israel. Information
and education are major priorities and guidelines
targeted at both the general public and
professionals are available on the Hebrew website
of the ministry. These include: information sheets to
the public on asbestos exposure, guidelines on safe
procedures for dealing with asbestos containing
materials and products, guidelines on removal
of asbestos-cement products, lists of contractors
and inspectors authorized to undertake asbestos-
related work and lists of accredited laboratories
for asbestos testing.
Training: Since 2001, the Ministry of the Environment,
by means of the National Center for Hazardous

26
ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
Substances and Environmental Studies, and in for maintenance or removal, and measures to
cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Trade deal with the asbestos problem in the Western
and Labor, has organized compulsory training Galilee.
courses for asbestos contractors and inspectors
and annual refresher days. The results are The release of carcinogenic asbestos fibers may
impressive: in 2002, only 12 authorized inspectors be a handbreadth away from anyone, anywhere.
operated throughout the country; by the end Simply put, there is no such thing as "safe" exposure
of 2004, their number skyrocketed to 100. to asbestos. The Ministry of the Environment is
therefore intent on spearheading a change, in
Permitting System: Since 2001, the number of cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Ministry
There is no
permit requests for asbestos work has risen of Industry, Trade and Labor and local authorities. such thing
significantly – from an average of 8 requests Despite limited funds, everything must be done as "safe"
per month in 2002 to 48 per month in 2004. today in order to prevent a potential catastrophe
The numbers are continuing to rise. In July tomorrow. exposure to
2005 alone, for example, 64 requests for asbestos
asbestos work were submitted to the Ministry
of the Environment. Each permit may relate to
thousands of meters and dozens of structures
– whether in a kibbutz or university. Moreover,
since asbestos work requires a permit from the
technical committee and only an authorized
asbestos worker may carry out the work, special
efforts have been invested in checking the
accreditation and training requirements for
contractors and bodies dealing with asbestos-
containing material.

Enforcement: When necessary, carrot is

accompanied by stick. In recent years,
additional efforts have been invested in
opening investigation files and filing indictments
in order to make sure that violators of the law
are prosecuted and that others comply with
legal requirements of the law.

And What Now?

Efforts are currently focusing on preparing a
government action plan on asbestos treatment
aimed at minimizing the asbestos hazard in
Israel. The proposed action plan includes such
measures as: completion of asbestos surveys
in the Western Galilee, implementation of
an epidemiological survey, allocation of
a preliminary budget for the preparation
and implementation of the action plan,
establishment of an asbestos waste disposal
site in the north of Israel, initiation of an asbestos
survey in public institutions where asbestos is
known to exist and establishment of guidelines

27
 Treating life-threatening hotspots

TAMAR BAR-ON ON ASBESTOS

Director, Asbestos Division

What is the Ministry of the define an occupational standard of 0.2 fibers/cm3

Environment doing to tackle averaged over an eight-hour period, in practice
Improving the the asbestos problem in the standard in effect is 0.1 fibers/cm3. As far
environment Israel? as an environmental standard is concerned, the
and preserving
open spaces One of the clauses in technical committee has established a guideline
the 1984 regulations value of 1,400 fibers/m3 for ambient exposure to
on asbestos states that asbestos. This is one of the most stringent guidelines
asbestos work cannot be worldwide.
Preventing undertaken without the
marine and
water pollution approval of the technical The Western Galilee is the most contaminated areas in
and restoring committee on hazardous dust. We volunteered to Israel in terms of asbestos. What can be done to address
rivers head this committee and today everyone knows this problem?
that the Environment Ministry is the address for Four years ago we implemented an asbestos
asbestos training, asbestos permits and asbestos survey in the Western Galilee in which we sampled
guidelines. 53 sites and discovered areas laden with all types
Treating
life-threatening We have also invested resources to make of asbestos. We then issued "cleanup orders" to the
hotspots information readily available to the public and relevant municipalities requiring them to treat the
to professionals. We printed information sheets, most polluted sites. We also informed three local
posted our guidelines on the internet, conducted authorities that it is their responsibility to clean up
seminars, provided guidelines to local authorities all of the sites. Today, building in areas suspected
Treating and the army, and organized lectures. Although
municipal, emergencies such as fires continue in asbestos
industrial and
agricultural containing facilities, we have instituted a
waste procedure that ensures that we will be informed
about every event so as to provide guidelines to
rescue services on what to do.
I can definitely say that over the past three years
Developing we brought about a virtual revolution in our
tools for treatment of this problem. Today, more asbestos
improving
service and waste is disposed in a safe manner, there are
professionalism many more trained contractors, inspectors and
asbestos workers who operate according to strict
guidelines, and institutions and factories have
upgraded the subject in their multi-annual work
plans. This is accompanied by a major increase in
public awareness as is evidenced by the number
of inquiries to the Ministry of the Environment and
the number of hits to our website. I strongly believe
that awareness is the key to progress.

How do our standards compare to asbestos standards

around the world?
Our occupational standard is identical to other Protective gear during asbestos work.
Photo: Gerar Gal-Or
standards in the world. Although our regulations

28
ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
of asbestos contamination is
contingent on the performance
of a survey and on clean up of the
area.
Can we point to any positive developments
in addressing this issue in Israel?
As I said before, awareness of both
decision makers and the public has
risen dramatically and this is bringing
about improvements in the field. For
example, a couple of years ago
the Tel Aviv branch of the Ministry
of the Environment mapped all of
the educational institutes in Bat Yam
and Herzliya and presented a report
on the condition of asbestos facilities
in these buildings. As a result, the
municipality took the necessary
action to correct the deficiencies.
Hopefully this pilot project will be
followed by a comprehensive From top to bottom: School
survey of educational institutions building. Photo: Shai Pe’er,
throughout the country. School building. Photo:
Carol Avraham, Roof after
In addition, special mention should removal. Photo: Avner
be made of a huge, multi-million Barzilai
dollar army project to remove pical
boards (with a 40% asbestos content). These
boards were often used in the army as bulletin
boards, in which thumbtacks were pinned.
Recognition of the severity of the problem led
to a unique multi-annual project to remove
these boards in accordance with stringent
guidelines. Despite major budgetary cutbacks
in the country's defense budget, this project is
continuing in full force.
What else should be done to prevent exposure to asbestos
fibers?
The most important thing is to establish a site for
the disposal of friable asbestos waste. Today
asbestos is disposed in landfills according to strict
conditions for containment and segregation.
Yet these conditions are extremely expensive
and therefore economically difficult
to implement. It is very important
to establish an asbestos site in the
north of the country.
Secondly we have to find a
solution to the problem of asbestos
contamination in the Western Galilee.
We need professional as well as
budgetary resources to do this.
Thirdly, it is essential to conduct an
epidemiological survey among
everyone who has contracted an
asbestos-related disease. We have
to identify who actually worked
with asbestos, who is related to an
asbestos worker, who came from
abroad and who contracted the
disease without realizing that he/she
were in contact with asbestos in
order to find out whether anyone
got sick as a result of environmental
exposure. We must try to find out
today what awaits us 40 years from
now. Perhaps what we are doing
now is too much, perhaps not
enough. The results of the survey
will give us a more accurate picture
of what to do.
Fourthly, we should map all of the country’s
public institutions, whether schools, universities
or community centers, in order to identify the
condition of asbestos containing materials. Based
on the results, decisions can be taken on whether
to maintain or remove these materials.
And finally we need a new law. Our present law is
anachronistic since it has an occupational focus
and gives inadequate attention to the environment.
Asbestos is no longer produced anywhere in Israel.
What we need now is a mechanism for licensing,
inspection and enforcement. Today we provide
professional guidelines and instructions by issuing
orders under a variety of different laws, but this
is not an optimal situation. A new law is sorely
needed.
29
 Treating municipal, industrial and agricultural waste

Asbestos Removal in the Israel Defense DID YOU KNOW?

Force: A Unique Project
• The etymology of the word
A survey conducted in 1998 in army camps throughout
asbestos may be traced back to
Israel found some 10,000 square meters of pical
the ancient Greek word meaning
(asbestos) boards in Israel. These boards (containing
"inextinguishable," in recognition of
some 40% asbestos) are frequently used in army bases
its fire-retardant properties.
Improving the as wall partitions and bulletin boards.
environment • Asbestos is the name given to a
and preserving group of minerals that occur naturally
open spaces Recognition of the significant risks associated with
as bundles of fibers which can be
these asbestos containing boards led to the drafting
separated into thin threads.
and implementation of an action plan for removal
• The three most common types of
of pical boards. With the cooperation of the Ministry
Preventing asbestos are: a) chrysotile, or white
of the Environment, a course for asbestos supervisors
marine and asbestos; b) amosite, or brown
water pollution was opened, procedures and guidelines for dealing
and restoring
asbestos; and c) crocidolite, or blue
with asbestos were prepared, a work program was
rivers asbestos. Chrysotile, a member of
developed, and a project for the removal of pical
the Serpentine mineral group, is the
boards from all units was initiated in April 2002.
commonest.
• It is estimated that there are about
Treating Priorities for the safe removal of asbestos were based
100 million square meters of asbestos
life-threatening on the results of Recommended Technical Method
hotsports cement in Israel.
2 for the determination of airborne asbestos fiber
• Asbestos is a known carcinogen.
concentrations (RTM2). Repopulation was only allowed
Exposure to asbestos may increase
when monitoring showed the elimination of airborne
the risk of asbestosis, lung cancer,
asbestos fibers.
Treating
mesothelioma and other cancers.
municipal, • Mesothelioma is a relatively rare
industrial and These efforts received special recognition within
cancer of the inner lining of the chest
agricultural the framework of a special ceremony in which the
waste wall or abdominal cavity. Asbestos
Minister of the Environment presented environmental
exposure is the only known cause for
awards to Israel Defense Force (IDF) units excelling in
this form of cancer, which may go
environmental projects and activities. In December
undetected for more than 40 years.
2003, the Environment Minister presented a special
Developing Even short exposure to medium levels
certificate of merit to the Building Center of the IDF
tools for of asbestos contamination may lead
improving for initiating and implementing the asbestos removal
to the disease.
service and project in army units and bases throughout the
professionalism • Based on current knowledge, intact
country.
and undisturbed asbestos cement
products do not pose a health risk as
The project is continuing. During its implementation
long as they are not sawed, drilled,
A look at an additional asbestos-containing boards were found, well
scraped, sanded or handled in such
amosite fiber beyond the original estimate of 10,000 square meters.
a way as to cause the material to
In fact, by June 2005, some 43,000 square meters of
crumble and be released into the
pical boards had been identified, of which some 12,915
air.
square meters are in planning and approval stages
• During the August 2005 disengagement,
and 30,089 square meters are already approved for
asbestos contractors dismantled some
implementation. Of the latter, some 27,366 square
23,000 sq.m. of asbestos from Gaza Strip
meters of asbestos boards have already been removed
and North Samarian settlements. Some
while the remainder (some 2,723 square meters) is
530 tons of asbestos cement were
currently undergoing implementation or awaiting
transferred to Israel for landfilling.
contractors.

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ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
 Cows in the Galilee.
Photo: Ilan Malester

Dairy Farms Go Green

T The greening of Israel’s dairy farms within
just a few years is a major achievement,
even by world standards

There are about 115,000 cows in Israel, producing

about 1.15 billion liters of milk per year – an average
of 10,500 liters of milk per cow. Yet while Israel's
cows yield one of the highest rates of milk in the
world, they are major polluters of the environment.
It is estimated that one cow equals about 20
people in terms of potential water pollution by
organic material (BOD) generated per day. The
pollution generated by some 350,000 heads of
cattle in Israel, including both milk and beef
cows, equals the pollution generated by the
entire human population of the country. Problems
associated with dairy farms include soil and water
source contamination by nutrients, nitrates, brines,
organic matter and pathogens as well as stench,
flies and aesthetic degradation.
Dairy Farm Reform: 1999-2004
In 1999, a reform package was initiated in the
dairy sector, with the aim of encouraging dairy
producers to become larger, more competitive and
more efficient, on the one hand, and to prevent
pollution, on the other hand. Within the framework
of the reform, strict criteria were formulated for
the environment-friendly operation of dairy farms,
largely based on guidelines developed by the
Ministry of the Environment. As part of the reform
package, financial grants of 50% were provided
for investments in infrastructure for the protection
of the environment from cowshed wastes and
leachates and 30% for investments in greater
efficiency.
years (1999-2004), the following was achieved:
• The total number of dairy farms was reduced by
419 – from 1,453 to 1,034 – a 29% reduction.
• National milk production increased by 26 million
liters – 2.5% - an addition equal to about 3,000
cows.
By the end
A Major Achievement
of 2006, all of
The reform project presented a golden opportunity
to upgrade environmental infrastructures in dairy
Israel's dairy
farms and to stop environmental pollution from farms will be
this source. By the end of 2004, 97% of Israel’s environment
dairy farms had completed or were in the midst
of undertaking environmental improvements - friendly
from infrastructure for the prevention of pollutant
infiltration to prevention of manure, leachate and
sewage overflow.
Environmental improvement of Israel’s dairy farm
sector is a major achievement, even by world
standards. By the end of 2006, all of Israel’s dairy
farms will be environment friendly, constituting
a model for a comprehensive solution to one of
the most difficult problems associated with cattle
raising in Israel.

At the initiation of the reform project, there were

1,453 cowsheds in Israel. During the course of six

31
 Preventing marine and water pollution and restoring rivers
International
Cooperation
Improving the
An Interview With Paul Mifsud
environment
and preserving
Coordinator, Mediterranean Action Plan
M
open spaces
Mr. Paul Mifsud visited Israel in mid-May,
2005, just one year after taking office as
Preventing Coordinator of the Mediterranean Action
marine and Plan of UNEP. Mr. Mifsud kindly provided the
water pollution
and restoring following interview to Israel Environment
rivers Bulletin on May 18, 2005.
Since coming into office a little more than a year ago,
you made a point of meeting with different Contracting
Treating Parties to the Barcelona Convention. What do you hope
life-threatening to accomplish with these visits?
hotspots
There are different objectives. In some countries,
as in the case of Israel, the objective is to hasten
ratification of the new Barcelona Convention and
Treating the amended Land-Based Sources Protocol. In
municipal, others, such as Tunisia, the intention is to review
industrial and the activities of the Regional Activity Center for
agricultural
waste Specially Protected Areas. In the case of the
European Community, the intent is to send a clear
signal that we want to work more closely with the
EC. At the end of the day, my main objective is,
Developing of course, to promote closer working relationships
tools for with all of the Contracting Parties.
improving
service and
professionalism What is the agenda for closer working relationships with
the European Community?
Now that we have seven European Community
countries that are also members of the Barcelona
Convention, it is my wish to chart a course on
how to work together positively. Each of us
brings something valuable to the table. The
EC has enormous resources; MAP has major
credibility in the region, especially in the southern
Mediterranean countries. The EC has developed
Neighborhood Policies on the bilateral level; MAP
has both the credibility and the right mechanisms
to implement regional initiatives.
There are a number of initiatives that we have
32
ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
identified for mutual
implementation. For
example, the MED POL
component of MAP is
very much involved in
the development of the
European Marine Strategy. The intention is that
the MAP will be the implementing agency of one
component of that strategy on the regional level,
namely capacity building. A second initiative
relates to the development of a European
Maritime Policy. A third initiative is the decision
to hold the next meeting of the MAP Focal Points
in September back to back with the Focal Points
of SMAP (the EU’s Short and Medium-Term Priority
Environmental Action Program under the Euro-
Mediterranean Partnership).
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the MAP. What
is your vision for the MAP?
MAP has achieved a great deal over the years
in terms of policy development and program
development, but we suffer from a lack of
visibility. I think it’s about time that we promote
ourselves. The higher our profile, the greater will
be our credibility and support. In fact, one of the
first things I did upon coming into office was to
upgrade the MAP website.
It is now important to chart the future course of the
MAP, to help countries to implement the different
programs. High on the priority list is the promotion
of the National Action Plans for reducing land-
based pollution within the framework of SAP (the
Strategic Action Program). We are planning to
do this with the financial support of the Global
Environment Facility (GEF), which is offering to
cooperate in two components: technical and
capacity building. Workshop on Environmental Policy Integration and SMAP III
I attribute special importance to the adoption
A Workshop on Environmental Policy Integration and SMAP III was held in Israel on
of the new sustainable development strategy
May 25-26,2005. Its aim: to promote a dialogue between Israeli and European experts
and hope to get a mandate from the
on mechanisms through which sustainable development goals can be promoted
Contracting Parties for its implementation. We,
and integrated in different policy areas including agriculture, transportation, industry,
of course, will be there to facilitate and help,
energy and coastal zone management.
but at the end of the day, implementation
has to be on the ground in the countries at The workshop included discussions and lectures and emphasized case studies
national level. and good practices for sound environmental management which were meant
to promote interdisciplinary cooperation.
We take our mandate from the Contracting
Parties. The idea is to plan a future road map, Participants included representatives of the European Union, European Environment
to plot our future course, so that we can Agency (EEA), Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Italian Agency for the Protection
address challenges in a sustainable way. of the Environment and for Technical Services (APAT) and Finnish Environmental
I have many dreams but there’s nothing Institute (SYKE).
wrong with dreaming. All good things start
with a dream.
Israel Ratifies Amendment to Barcelona Convention
What are your impressions of Israel's efforts to
On August 15, 2005, the Israel cabinet resolved to ratify the amendment of 1995
protect its marine and coastal environment?
to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution
I have a very high opinion of the professionals
(the Barcelona Convention). The amendment to the Convention, which relates
that I have met in Israel and of Israel’s
to such aspects as sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, pollution
representatives and Focal Points to the
prevention and greater cooperation among Contracting Parties, entered into
MAP. They take an active part in meetings
force in 2004.
and are significant contributors to different
programs.
TA-Luft Workshop in Israel
I am fully convinced of Israel’s commitment
The Environment Ministry's policy on air pollution emissions from industrial sources
to the environment and of its positive
is largely based on Germany's technical instructions on air quality control, known
approach to environmental issues as can
as TA Luft 1986. Yet Germany revised these guidelines in 2002. The new instructions
be seen by the newly enacted Coastal Law.
set new and more stringent emissions values and updated emission limits which
Moreover, I am especially impressed by the
correspond to the state of the art (use of best available techniques).
cooperation that I have witnessed between
government authorities and NGOs. The fact In Israel, TA Luft 1986 emission limits were incorporated into the appendix of a
that the Environment Ministry invited NGO Covenant on Implementing Standards on Pollutant Emissions into the Air, signed
representatives to meet with me is a very by the Environment Ministry and the Manufacturers Association of Israel in 1998.
positive step. The level of cooperation and Industries signing this Covenant are required to abide by emission limits which are
the influence of NGOs on coastal issues in incorporated into their business licenses under the Licensing of Businesses Law or
Israel are especially impressive. personal decrees (administrative directives for pollution reduction) issued under
the Abatement of Nuisances Law.
We would now like to find ways to involve
A three-day workshop, organized by the Manufacturers Association of Israel, the
more Israeli professionals in the MAP and to
Israel Union for Environmental Defense (an NGO) and the Ministry of the Environment,
find ways and means of organizing meetings
was held in Israel in July 2005. Its intent: to increase knowledge about Germany's
in Israel. With good will, I believe we can
updated technical instructions on air quality control as a first step toward their
achieve positive results, both within the
adoption in Israel.
framework of the MAP and on the regional
level. I believe that all big things start small
The German delegation, which included representatives of the Federal Environmental
and I am keen to help support some of the
Agency of Germany and the Ministry of the Environment of the State of North Rhine-
positive developments that are beginning
Westphalia, presented the principles of the German approach on the prevention
to emerge in this region.
of air pollution from industry and related to the legal and environmental grounds
for amending the guidelines and to the main emission control requirements of
the TA Luft 2002. The Israeli participants, on their part, presented different aspects
of air pollution prevention and treatment in Israel.

33
 The World of Communication. Photo: Alex Kaplan

Cellular Antennas: Toward Greater

Transparency

I Israelis are major users of cell phones, but are

up in arms about potential radiation from the
base stations which support them
It is estimated that the number of cell phones in
To protect human health and the environment, the
Ministry of the Environment has established two
thresholds for exposure to non-ionizing radiation: a
health threshold based on the recommendations
of the International Commission for Non-Ionizing
use in Israel equals the number of people living
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) which advises the
in the country. Since cell phones cannot work
World Health Organization, and an environmental
without an antenna, mobile phone operators
threshold, whose value is 10% of the health
must establish a network of base stations to
threshold.
cover specific geographic
areas.

Moreover, since base

stations are limited in
the number of calls they
can handle at one time,
additional base stations
must be built to meet
growing demand for mobile
phones. At present, some
6,700 cellular base stations
(antenna clusters), erected
by Israel's four cellular
phone operators, support
these phones.

34
ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN vol 29
The environmental threshold is based on the
precautionary principle which calls for reaching
the lowest possible radiation levels using available
technology at reasonable cost. In effect, the
environmental threshold is meant to balance two
interests: the interest of using radiation sources
for public benefit and the interest of not harming
(either in terms of health or finance) residents or
people in the vicinity of radiation sources.
While just about everyone in Israel has a cell
phone, people are increasingly concerned
about the growing number of antennas erected
in their neighborhoods. Therefore, in keeping
with its policy of transparency and access to
information, the Ministry of the Environment
provides information to the general public and
to professionals alike by means of its website,
brochures and information sheets.
The ministry’s Hebrew website provides information, by
means of an interactive map, on the location and safety
standards of operating base stations (http://gis.sviva.gov.
il) throughout the country. The map, in Hebrew, allows
anyone, anywhere, to access information on base stations
in their area of residence including information on: the
cellular operator, type of base station, exact location,
date of erection permit, date of operational permit, date of
last measurement, radiation intensity (in microwatts per
centimeter), percent of the health standard established
by the World Health Organization, and even a photograph
of the type of base station.
In recent months, in order to make information
on planned cell sites available to the public prior
to their erection, the Ministry of the Environment
has begun to provide information on those base
stations scheduled for erection on the following
month. The information includes details on the
location of planned cell sites and the date that
the operational permit was granted.
Photo: Alex Kaplan
Radiation Exposure Thresholds in Israel
The health threshold for exposure to non-ionizing
radiation defines the exposure level assuring
that health damage will not be caused. This Transparency
threshold is based on known adverse impacts,
especially to the most sensitive populations
of information
such as children, the ailing or the elderly. The on radiation
health standard established by the Ministry from cellular
of the Environment is based on ICNIRP
recommendations. The health threshold
antennas is
relates to acute (short term) exposure. a priority
The environmental threshold for exposure to non-
ionizing radiation, set by the Ministry of the
Environment, takes account of the health
threshold, the possibility of additional risks, the
expectations of Israeli society for protection
from these risks, and the ability of Israeli society
to finance measures for risk reduction. The
environmental threshold relates to chronic,
continuous and prolonged exposure.
In areas where exposure is not continuous
and prolonged, such as roofs, yards, sidewalks,
parks and other such areas, the Environment
Ministry does not approve the erection of
facilities which may temporarily expose
people to non-ionizing radiation levels which
exceed 30% of the health threshold.
35
Nahariya coast. photo: Ilan Malester