Reserve Chairman of Israel’s Science and Technology Commission Denounces IEI Oil Shale Plan

Israel Energy Initiatives has received serious opposition to its plan to extract oil from shale rock in the Adullam region. Photo retrieved from: www.greenprophet.com

“One of the main issues is whether it makes sense to conduct oil shale exploration in a region that is so environmentally, historically, and socially sensitive. Also in question is whether IEI has done enough to prove that in-situ oil shale exploration will not harm the region’s groundwater or soil.

Under the draconian National Fuel Law, the Ministry of Infrastructure granted IEI (and a heavyweight oil consortium that has financial backing from Lord Jacob Rothschild and Rupert Murdoch) carte blanche.

Under this law, the local community were not consulted, nor was an independent environmental impact assessment required. The Citizens Coalition to Save Adullam, composed of scientists, lawyers, businesspeople and educators, who stand to lose the most if the pilot project goes awry, have questioned the validity of this law half a century later.

Until now, there has been significant political pressure to support the project, on the grounds that it could free Israel from the shackles of Arab oil. Even at the local level.

Head of the Judean Regional Council, Mr. Moshe Dadon provided perhaps the most scathing revelation:

“I’m getting a lot of political pressure from the government offices to endorse this project, prior to any real assessment of its repercussions on the environment, the local tourist economy, and the public health. We would rather reject the company’s financial offers and protect the area’s open space and tourist welcoming character.”

Read more: Green Prophet