Illegal Modi'im quarry
Illegal Modi'im quarryGreen Israel Forum

The Green Israel Forum released a warning about the growing and worrying trend of environmental hazards and damage near national parks, nature preserves, archeological sites, and others. The Forum has documented environmental damage in Israel for several years and recently released an updated report on violations in Israel.

Among the main violators is an illegal dumping operation on the border of the Yarkon National Park near Route 5 and Segula Junction. The area is large, encompassing around 24,000 square meters, and it is being used as a passing ground for trash and as a staging ground for the illegal burning of trash.

Another violator was an illegal quarry between Shoham and Elad, namely the Modiin Quarry. According to government maps, parts of the quarry are not operational leading to concerns of an avalanche due to a lack of safety precautions. The quarry is encroaching on the archeological site of the “Tzarata Springs”- a natural spring that is inside an ancient quarry. The spring fills with water during the winter and dries out over the summer. It is one of the few remaining springs that used to be common in the Mishor HaHof region, but that have been destroyed due to development.

Mount Kabir, Shomron illegal quarry
Mount Kabir, Shomron illegal quarryGreen Israel Forum

Also, at the foot of Mount Kabir in the Shomron, there is an illegal quarry that has encroached on an archeological site dating back to the times of the Second Temple. The site is the Tel Al-Fahar Ruins, where the remnants of a Samarian community from the times of the Second Temple (2,000 years ago) can be found. Artifacts from the Hellenist and Byzantine periods have been found there as has a cave with cremated remains and agricultural tools like millstones. The nearby Al-Joyar spring likely served as a source of water for the community.

Further to the north, there is an illegal dumping ground for construction material that borders the Nachal Meitzar Nature Preserve. The preserve is a remarkably beautiful national treasure, with a lookout post towards the waterfall of the Meitzar Stream.

In addition, the Green Israel Forum documented illegal dumping near Tel Hatzir, an archeological site that includes artifacts from the Roman, Byzantine, and other periods. Among the findings at the site include winepresses, water pits, burial caves, and agricultural tools that suggest an ancient presence at the site.

Gilad Ach, Director of the Green Israel Forum said, “The average citizen does not notice what is happening around him. Whether this is an illegal quarry, illegal dumping grounds, dumping of electronic waste, dumping of home waste, or businesses operating without licenses, oversight, and permits. The authorities unfortunately find themselves helpless against the many violators.”

lllegal quarry near Modi'imGreen Israel Forum