The Knesset yesterday passed a law supported by environmental groups to preserve Israel's coastline. The new law states that construction will not be allowed within 300 meters of the ocean - unless approved by special committees. It is based on the concept that the beaches belong to the public and that all citizens must be enabled free access to the sea. Knesset Interior Committee Chairman MK Yuri Stern (National Union) and Minister Uzi Landau were instrumental in the law's passage.
The law was long promoted by Environment Minister Yehudit Naot, who has been absent from the Knesset as she recuperates from throat cancer, and who sent a letter of congratulations to the Knesset: "Today marks the end of a five-year struggle on behalf of the public's basic right to enjoy the beaches, and I am sorry that I cannot be with you on this day because of my medical treatments. This natural resource is becoming more precious than gold, and I am proud that this law will preserve what is left of it."
In other coastline news, the ports strike ended early this morning, and the workers have returned to full-time work. Under the agreement, the reform in the ports will be delayed for 120 days and a special fund will be established to guarantee the workers' benefits. The three-week strike cost the economy some 4 billion shekels (almost $900 million).