Breaking Update
Kurkar Cliff on Sidna Ali Beach in Herzliya Collapses
Following the collapse of the Kurkar Cliff in Herzliya, Israeli authorities are accelerating a NIS 360 million plan to protect the nation's coast.
Jerusalem, 22 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — In light of the collapse of the Kurkar Cliff on Sidna Ali Beach in Herzliya on Saturday, February 21, Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Government Company for the Protection of Mediterranean Coastal Cliffs called for immediate treatment for the protection of Israel’s coastline cliffs.
The cliffs are generally protected by land and sea defenses. The first phase of maritime defenses was launched several years ago according to government decisions, and within the framework of it, the israel lands Authority allocated approximately 360 million shekels. Work is underway and is expected to be completed by June 2026.
In preparation for this date, the ministry of Environmental Protection, as part of the budget discussions, requested that a follow-up phase of a similar scope be promoted, which would allow the protections to be expanded to additional locations along the coast, primarily the Herzliya project alongside Ashkelon, Bat Yam, emek hefer, and other areas.
The ministry emphasizes that stabilizing the cliff requires combining sea defenses alongside land defenses. However, the land defenses –which are under the responsibility of local authorities and under the guidance of the Ministry of the Interior –have not yet been budgeted to the required extent and have not been advanced at the expected pace. Several months ago, findings indicating approximately 12 km of beaches at risk of collapse were submitted to the authorities, along with inquiries on the subject to relevant government officials.
