The Prime Minister announced his commitment to stop the petrochemical activity in the Haifa Bay - disappointment with the court's decision

(haipo) - Last night (Sun. 4/9/22) Prime Minister Yair Lapid announced that he intends to act to implement the government's decision from March, according to which the petrochemical activity in Haifa Bay will be stopped within a decade - but today the court approved the creditors' arrangement with Bezan, a decision that allows for the company to raise funds for the purpose of obtaining sole control.

A statement was issued by Prime Minister Yair Lapid's office last night, according to which the Prime Minister's Office is committed to the implementation of the government's decision from March, which stated that petrochemical activity in the Haifa Bay must be stopped and a plan to develop infrastructure and economic growth engines in the Gulf must be promoted within a decade, regardless of the identity of the controlling owners of the BAZ company. N.

The Association of Cities for the Protection of the Haifa Bay Environment thanked Prime Minister Lapid for his commitment and the government's commitment to stop petrochemical activity in Haifa Bay and promote a plan to develop infrastructure and economic growth engines in Haifa Bay within a decade.

The Association of Cities commented on Lapid's statement:
"The Prime Minister's decision not to decide on the issue of the control permit before the court's decision is a sign of respect for a proper and proper public administration and indicates the commitment of the Prime Minister to the public in the Haifa Bay area," the union said and added: "We would like to thank the vice chairman of the union Michael Gorin, for He worked hard to achieve the important statement. We hope that the owners of the company will start focusing on closing BaZen and not on letting it live."

The chairman of the union, Adv. Sharit Golan, said:

I thank the Prime Minister for his courageous decision to stand up to the capitalists and not to grant a control permit before the court will discuss the approval of the debt settlement for the petrochemical company. The Prime Minister's commitment to an evacuation process in Zen will send a clear message to make the investments that public money is not wasted. I thank the deputy chairman of the union, Michael Gorin, who helped and worked with the Prime Minister on the issue.

Michael Gorin S. Chairman of the Union of Cities for Environmental Protection:

I am happy that tonight it was proven beyond any doubt that Yair Lapid is the prime minister most committed to the health of the residents of the Haifa Bay and the removal of the polluting factories from it within a decade and we will continue this policy even after the elections.

"The debt settlement is against the public interest"

Further to that, today, Monday 5/9/22, a hearing was held in court on the union's request to present its opposition to the debt settlement of the Israel Petrochemical Company Ltd., in front of its creditors. In the discussion, the union claimed that the debt settlement is against the public good, both in the economic aspect of cutting the debt of the public funds and in the health aspect of investing in a polluting plant.

The court approved the creditors' arrangement

At the end of the hearing, the court approved the creditors' arrangement, which now allows the company to raise funds for the purpose of obtaining sole control of Bezan. The court ruled in relation to the union's claims that the place for this discussion is within the framework of the government's decisions and not in court.

The Union of Cities for the Protection of the Environment in the Haifa Bay area stated:
"We regret the court's decision, we will continue to fight with all the legal tools at our disposal. We believe that Prime Minister Yair Lapid will live up to his commitment to prevent the continued operation of the petrochemical industry in the Haifa Bay. In addition, we ask the Israeli government to insert a condition in the sale permit, a condition that will talk about stopping The petrochemical activity is in accordance with the schedule, while stopping the repeated malfunctions until the end of the operation of the plants in the area. We are sorry that today's discussion revolved around economic issues and the cancellation of the debt while the health of the public in Haifa Bay was not a consideration in the discussion."

"The Supreme Court chose to violate the right of the residents of Haifa Bay to life and health in favor of polluting fuel corporations"

MK Prof. Alon Tal, Chairman of the Committee for the Impact of the Environment and Climate on Public Health and the Lobby for the Restoration of Haifa Bay, said upon leaving the hearing in which the district court approved the settlement of the petrochemical company's debt: "Unfortunately, the court chose to harm the public interest and the right of the residents of Haifa Bay to life and health in favor of the narrow property right of polluting fuel corporations."

"The debt settlement is part of an attempt to purchase the ZEN, and may lead to a move contrary to the government's decision aimed at revitalizing Haifa Bay and transitioning to modern employment and housing."

MK Tal also added: "Last night, the Prime Minister's Office issued a statement that although the Prime Minister has the authority not to approve the purchase of Bezan by the Petrochemical Company, they intend to wait for the court's decision - the one that was made today. I expect the Prime Minister to stand behind the government's decision that he led, and stop the deepening of the polluting industry. The eyes of over a million citizens are waiting for the good news."