Ahead of the publication of the draft for the new Dead Sea Concession Law, Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman today (Sep’ 21) sent an urgent and important appeal to Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, calling to legally enshrine the establishment of a dedicated fund for the rehabilitation of the Dead Sea. This fund would be based on a portion of the state’s revenue from the future concession. The fund would ensure a stable and continuous source of funding for the rehabilitation of the area, which has been severely damaged in recent decades.
The current concession, which allows for the extraction of potash and minerals from the Dead Sea, is set to expire in 2030. For four decades, the sea level has dropped by approximately 40 meters at an average rate of 1.1-1.3 meters per year. The sharp decline, caused in part by industrial pumping, has led to the closure of most of the northern basin’s beaches, the collapse of infrastructure, and severe damage to natural resources, agriculture, and tourism. The concession holder’s activity alone is responsible for approximately 25% of the annual water level drop.
In her letter, the Minister warned that without a dedicated fund, it would be impossible to provide a systematic response to the deterioration of the area. According to her, the fund is needed not only for rehabilitating hazards and making beaches accessible but also for preparing for future projects, most notably a canal connecting the seas. This is an important initiative that the ministry has worked on for a long time, and it is a solution that can halt the water level decline and create additional economic benefits (hydroelectric energy production, water desalination, tourism, and recreation).
“The renewal of the concession is a historical opportunity to correct a continuous injustice. The state must ensure that public revenues are reinvested back into the environment, settlement, and tourism in the area. A dedicated fund for the rehabilitation of the Dead Sea, similar to the Fund for Open Spaces and the Fund for Quarry Rehabilitation, is the only way to ensure environmental and economic responsibility. This is our duty to the environment and future generations,” Minister Silman concludes in her letter.
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