Adam Teva V’Din along with environmental organizations the Society for the Protection of Nature, Keshet and others, have called on the Attorney General to prevent the adoption of a misleading government report that disregards these dangers. Both the Ministry of Environmental Protection and experts have warned that this risk far outweighs any potential benefits.
EAPC’s Troubled Record
The Europe-Asia Pipeline Company (EAPC) is responsible for major environmental disasters, including crude oil spills in the Evrona Reserve and the Tzin River, and a recent fuel leak in the Ramon Crater area. Despite its history the government plans to authorize this company to transport more oil through the Gulf of Eilat to Ashkelon for export to Europe, jeopardizing Eilat’s coral reefs and its local economy.
Key Issues with the Government Report
- Undermining the Environmental Protection Ministry: The Ministry of Environmental Protection, under the Hazardous Materials Law, is the authority on environmental risks. In 2021, it introduced a zero-risk policy for the Gulf of Eilat. However, the government’s inter-ministerial report ignored this policy and excluded expert opinions, replacing professional discretion with political interference.
- Biased and Flawed Data: The report relies on an EAPC-conducted risk survey rejected by the Ministry of Environmental Protection for its inaccuracies and downplaying of environmental risks. It also disregards expert warnings about the impact on Eilat’s coral reefs and global climate commitments, such as the Paris Agreement.
- Economic Risks Ignored: An oil spill in Eilat could cost up to 11 billion NIS, severely harming Eilat’s economy and desalination plants. Spills along the EAPC pipeline could devastate Mediterranean beaches, with cleanup costs ranging from 37-125 billion NIS. These massive risks were not considered in the report.
- No Benefit to Israel’s Economy: The expanded oil transport serves only commercial interests, with no benefit to Israel’s energy security. On the contrary, spills could disrupt electricity production at coastal power plants, further endangering energy supplies.
- EAPC’s Track Record and New Security Risks: EAPC’s history of environmental disasters raises serious concerns about entrusting it with increased oil transport. The current wartime situation exacerbates these risks, as oil tankers in Eilat could become terrorist targets, endangering the region further.
Legal action under consideration
Amit Bracha, CEO of Adam Teva V’Din comments that:
The government’s report is fundamentally biased and flawed, failing to account for environmental, economic, and security risks. Approving this decision would be catastrophic for Eilat’s unique ecosystem and Israel’s economy. We are urging the Attorney General to prevent this reckless move and prioritize the protection of the Gulf of Eilat.”
It is likely that Adam Teva V’Din and its partner organizations will take legal action.
