The Ministry of Environmental Protection is making an urgent call to advance the funding and execution of Phase B of the marine defenses project on the Mediterranean Sea cliffs – this in light of prolonged delays in budget allocation by the Ministry of Finance.
In a letter sent by Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman to Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, it was noted that for more than two years, the Ministry has been working with the Ministry of Finance to approve funding for Phase B, which is of a similar scope to Phase A at approximately NIS 360 million. However, funding has not yet been received. Instead, long review processes are taking place, new demands are being raised for a significant reduction in costs, and additional conditions are even being set, such as levying fees on owners of properties near the coast and requiring budgetary participation from local authorities, contrary to government decisions that determined marine defenses are the responsibility of the state.
Phase B includes a central project to construct breakwaters in Herzliya, alongside complementary solutions in Ashkelon, Bat Yam, Hefer Valley, Netanya, and in areas managed by the Nature and Parks Authority. According to the Minister, the defenses on the cliffs are critical for stopping erosion, preventing collapses, and protecting human lives, property, and infrastructure—and any further delay could cause irreversible damage.
Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman: “The marine defenses are the protective wall of Israel’s coasts. We must not wait for a disaster to happen. I call on the Ministry of Finance to immediately approve the budget and proceed with the execution of Phase B without delay—to ensure the safety of residents and preserve the country’s coasts for future generations”.
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