Relocation of polluting industries from Haifa: the Israeli government maintains its course for 2029
Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel reaffirmed this Tuesday during the Gulf Conference on Regionalization the government's decision to relocate polluting industries from Haifa Bay by 2029.
This position was reinforced by Avi Simhon, president of the National Economic Council, who underlined the security urgency of the situation, particularly concerning the Bazan petrochemical complex. According to him, the recent war has demonstrated that these installations represent a privileged target for Hezbollah.
Environment Minister Idit Silman spoke of transforming the area into a metropolitan park, while Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf compared Haifa's future to “Switzerland.” However, Nesher Mayor Roï Lévy called for concrete actions, criticizing the lack of precise plans for replacement facilities in the south of the country. Despite the optimism, Avihu Han, president of the Haifa Bay Cities Union, stressed the need to establish a clear timetable to overcome practical obstacles, including the construction of a new oil port and storage solutions.
