In a special meeting in the Knesset’s Internal Affairs and Environment Committee held on Monday, November 10, MK Dov Khenin (Hadash) called for an immediate investigation into the recent ammonia leak incident which left a firefighter dead and 20 others injured. The leak, which occurred at the Hod Hefer Ltd. Poultry Processing Plant in Emek Hefer, is suspected to have been caused by workers who accidentally cut two pipes linked to the eight-ton ammonia tank. Firefighter Samer Asil, 34, from Kafr Qara, was killed in the rescue effort that followed.
Firefighter Samer Asil, 34, killed in the rescue effort that followed last week’s tragic ammonia leak (Photo: Firefighter’s Union)
Speaking about the broader dangers to the Haifa Bay region, the participants in the meeting also discussed the potential dangers posed by a much larger ammonia container facility located in Haifa. This 12,000-ton facility, owned by privatized Haifa Chemicals, supplies ammonia to factories all over the country, one of them being Hod Hefer Poultry. Environmental activists have long been fighting to eliminate this larger tank facility, due to its urban location. In March 2012, the government decided that the Haifa Bay tank must close and move to an unpopulated portion of the Negev by 2017.
At Monday’s special meeting in the Knesset, MK Dov Khenin (Hadash), who chairs a subcommittee for the Haifa Bay area, spoke about how the government’s decision of two and a half years ago has still, in practice, changed nothing. “It will be a shame if we act only after the next disaster,” Khenin said. “If a disaster occurs in the Haifa Bay, we will not be able to provide the public with answers. It is necessary that a special discussion be held on the subject in which we get a clear timetable.”
Khenin stressed the importance of determining where the country needs ammonia facilities and where it does not, noting that in 2013 there were 18 incidents involving ammonia leaks and thus far in 2014 there have been 11. “In Israel there are many dangerous substances and we must act more stringently in order to protect our citizens from accidents, earthquakes, and missiles,” Khenin said. “To date, we have not done what is necessary to protect citizens from these things.” Green groups like the organization Zalul have accused the government of delaying construction of the new facility due to “foot-dragging and bureaucracy.”
Related:
MK Khenin questions need of establishing new privatized port in Haifa Bay
New Knesset subcommittee launched to examine Haifa Bay environmental issues
After years of protests: Ammonia tank to be removed from Haifa Bay
New Knesset subcommittee launched to examine Haifa Bay environmental issues
