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Environmental law experts are calling for stricter requirements in the state’s new tender for extracting minerals from the Dead Sea, emphasizing the need to repair environmental damage and mitigate the sea’s alarming shrinkage.
These recommendations come as Israel prepares to issue a new franchise, with the current contract, held by ICL Group, set to expire in 2030.
The draft franchise, published in September by the Finance Ministry, Environmental Protection Ministry, and Tax Authority, has drawn criticism from environmental organizations.
Adam Teva V’Din, a leading environmental advocacy group, argued that the draft falls short in holding ICL accountable for past damage.
The group stressed that any new franchise agreement should mandate immediate environmental remediation efforts or require ICL to deposit funds to address damages post-2030.
Environmental Damage and Calls for Accountability
ICL Group, formerly Israel Chemicals Ltd., has faced scrutiny over the environmental impact of its operations at the Dead Sea Works.
These include mining sand, creating sandbanks, abandoning outdated infrastructure, and dumping excess salt in massive piles.
The Dead Sea, already reduced to half its size since 1976, continues to shrink by over a meter annually due to industrial activity and water diversion.
Adam Teva V’Din criticized the draft tender’s language, which merely suggests it would be “fitting” for ICL to rectify environmental damage.
The organization urged the state to complete its mapping of the damage earlier than planned, arguing this could influence the tender’s price and signal to bidders that environmental accountability is non-negotiable.
One pressing issue is the salt accumulation in the Dead Sea’s largest evaporation pond, used by tourists at Ein Bokek hotels. ICL is obligated to remove the salt by 2028 to prevent flooding. Environmental experts argue this should be a condition for the company’s bid.
Funding Solutions for the Shrinking Sea
The Dead Sea’s shrinkage has resulted in significant ecological and economic consequences, including sinkholes and declining tourism.
However, the draft tender’s requirements concerning the sea’s shrinkage are minimal, focusing on avoiding disruptions to industrial activity.
Adam Teva V’Din proposed the establishment of a fund to support solutions for the sea’s shrinking, should viable options emerge.
The fund could draw from fees imposed on the new concessionaire for pumping saltwater, as well as from taxes and royalties. The group suggested allocating NIS 320 million annually to this fund, based on a modest calculation of saltwater usage and desalination rates.
Concerns Over Competitive Bidding
The organization also raised concerns about a clause in the original contract granting ICL first refusal on the new franchise. This provision, critics argue, could undermine competitive bidding and deter other potential franchisees from entering the process.
As the tender process moves forward, experts and environmental advocates are urging the government to take a firm stance on environmental protection and ensure that future mineral extraction aligns with sustainable practices.
The recommendations underscore the importance of balancing economic gains with ecological preservation in one of the world’s most unique natural resources.