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Greenpeace activists in field hospital afront the residence of Israeli Infrastructure Minister Benjamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer
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Several Greenpeace activists arrived this morning at the residence of Israel’s Minister of Infrastructure, Benjamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer, to protest against his intention to construct a second coal-fired power plant in the southern city of Ashkelon. The activists created a field hospital outside the minister’s house, to visualize the many residents of the Ashkelon area who’s health will be effected by the pollution created by another plant. The correlation between the existing coal plant and the increase in heart and respiratory disease has already been established, even when the “standards” are meat.
“We are demonstrating in front of the minister’s house today, because we see minister Ben-Eliezer chiefly responsible for this malicious and unnecessary decision to construct another coal-fired power plant, preffering the interests if the Israel Electric Company over those of tens of thousands of residents of the Ashkelon greater area”, said Nili Grossman, Greenpeace Mediterranean Energy Campaigner.
Greenpeace believes that the decision to construct another coal power plant is an outcome of the Electric Company’s lobby, who is interested in better positioning itself towards the continued debate over privatization of the company. It is unfortunate though that the minister prefers to endanger public health for political reasons, rather than developing renewable energy sources which would be healthier both to the public as well as to the economy, especially solar energy.
“Solar Energy could provide the necessary amount of electricity while creating twice as many jobs, without increasing the risk to human life”, added Grossman. “A solar power station is the ideal solution to the problems of electricity reserves existing in Israel as well as to the problems of unemployment – especially in the southern region. Yet, it seems that such advantages aren’t as enthusiastically endorsed by the minister”.
“We are demonstrating in front of the minister’s house today, because we see minister Ben-Eliezer chiefly responsible for this malicious and unnecessary decision to construct another coal-fired power plant, preffering the interests if the Israel Electric Company over those of tens of thousands of residents of the Ashkelon greater area”, said Nili Grossman, Greenpeace Mediterranean Energy Campaigner.
Greenpeace believes that the decision to construct another coal power plant is an outcome of the Electric Company’s lobby, who is interested in better positioning itself towards the continued debate over privatization of the company. It is unfortunate though that the minister prefers to endanger public health for political reasons, rather than developing renewable energy sources which would be healthier both to the public as well as to the economy, especially solar energy.
“Solar Energy could provide the necessary amount of electricity while creating twice as many jobs, without increasing the risk to human life”, added Grossman. “A solar power station is the ideal solution to the problems of electricity reserves existing in Israel as well as to the problems of unemployment – especially in the southern region. Yet, it seems that such advantages aren’t as enthusiastically endorsed by the minister”.
