Haifa mayor demands parties commit to shutting down city's petrochemical industry by 2029

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav sent a letter to all political party leaders on Thursday, demanding a binding commitment to close the Haifa Bay petrochemical industry by 2029, citing security threats from missile strikes during the war and ongoing health risks from air pollution. He called for a clear deadline, budget, and timetable, noting that the Bazan refinery was hit by missiles, killing three employees. Despite a government decision to remove the industry, no binding deadline has been set.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav sent a letter on Thursday to the leaders of all political parties running in the upcoming elections, demanding that they include a binding commitment in their coalition agreements to end petrochemical operations in Haifa Bay by 2029. Yahav stressed that residents deserve to know the national decision will not remain on paper, calling for a clear deadline, allocated budget, and timetable. During the war, the Bazan refinery complex was struck by missiles several times, killing three employees and forcing shutdowns, highlighting the security threat. Hundreds of thousands of residents continue to face exposure to air pollution and associated health risks. Despite a government decision to advance removal of the petrochemical industry, no binding deadline has been set. Yahav demanded 2029 as the deadline, alongside budgets, alternative infrastructure, implementation schedules, regular progress reports, and safeguards against delays.