Jerusalem, 21 November 1999
National Environment Council to be Established
(Communicated by the Environment Ministry Spokesman)
The Cabinet, today (Sunday), 21.11.99, approved the Environment
Minister Dalia Itzik's proposal to establish a National Environment
Council. The decision is an important precedent that proves that the
entire government understands the importance of environmental issues.
The government can now make proper decisions in the daily war between
the protectors of the environment and its despoilers.
The Council will comprise 75 members representing public bodies,
academe, economic sectors, MKs, religious groups, education, literary
and media groups and SPNI, local authorities, JNF and youth
movements. Half of the Council members will be women and half men.
The Council will submit recommendations to the Environment Minister,
government and Knesset on environmental policy issues, while taking
economic, scientific and cultural aspects into account, raise public
and individual awareness on environmental matters and the quality of
life in Israel, suggest directions for research and seek to develop
alternative forums for the exchange of opinions between the
government, public institutions, the private sector and academe, to
submit periodic reports on the environment to the Environment
Minister and to monitor the implementation of international
environmental agreements by Israel.