Environment Minister Gilad Erdan said over the weekend that he was opposed to opening a new coal-fueled electric power plant in Ashkelon, as the Israel Electric Company is planning. "This is a strange and tragic decision that will harm the public's health," he said.

"The Iranian threat that we are dealing with – rightfully – is no more important than the struggle against air pollution. Pollution kills more than 1,000 Israelis each year," he said.