4,700 deaths a year: Waste fires are choking Israel

The organization Citizens for Clean Air publishes a 'choking map' of Israel, based on approximately 23,000 public reports of waste fires. According to the organization, about half a million tons of waste are burned in Israel each year, responsible for 75% of carcinogenic emissions. The organization demands a plan of action from party leaders.

The organization Citizens for Clean Air publishes a 'choking map' of Israel, based on approximately 23,000 public reports received by the organization's hotline since April 2024. The reports, from the Galilee to Be'er Sheva, indicate recurring waste fire hazards. According to the organization, about half a million tons of waste are burned in Israel each year. According to data from the Ministry of Environmental Protection cited in the publication, these fires are responsible for 75% of carcinogenic emissions into the air and about a third of fine particulate emissions. Exposure to particulates is linked to approximately 4,700 deaths per year. The organization's CEO, Yaniv Bleicher, says the problem is not local but a national plague. Ahead of the upcoming elections, the organization demands that party leaders present a clear action plan to eradicate waste fires.