The Society for the Protection of Nature against the Maccabiah: "Damage caused by frivolity and bullying"
The CEO of the Society for the Protection of Nature, Iris Hahn appealed to Maccabiah Chairman Eric Zeevi regarding the damage to Polg Beach: "Acknowledge the mistakes made on the beach. It is difficult to exaggerate the severity of the damage, the work destroyed the top layer of sand."
Zeevi in response: "The management of the project was guided and accompanied by the Nature and Parks Authority"
Yoav Itiel
07/26/2022
Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 2:12 p.m
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In the video: Biden at the Maccabiah opening ceremony (photo: Contact)
The CEO of the Society for the Protection of Nature, Iris Hahn, addressed the former Olympic athlete, Eric Zeevi, who serves as the 21st Maccabiah chairman, this morning (Tuesday), regarding the human damage to the unique nature of Polg Beach, following the construction of the Maccabiah facilities.
"We ask you to acknowledge that mistakes and irregularities were made, which caused damage to the coastal environment, to see to it that the damages that occurred are repaired and to draw lessons, with all those concerned, including representatives of the environmental bodies, in preparation for the next Maccabiah," reads the appeal to Zeevi, "We, the company For the protection of nature, we are contacting you by virtue of your position as the 21st Maccabiah chairman, but also as a citizen of the country where he raises his children, and certainly shares our concern for the preservation of the environment, which will allow them a quality of life in the future as well.
"The choice to build the Maccabiah facilities on Polg Beach was, in our opinion, a wrong choice - this is a rare beach, which serves as a unique ecological corridor of its kind, connecting the Polg Reserve in the south, the Iris Reserve, the Winter Park to the east and north, and even up to the Sargent Grove. The ecological transition is not theoretical , these are animals, which use it, some above the ground and some below the ground. The environmental protection bodies objected in advance to the location, but since the permit was granted, one could expect that the preparatory work would proceed accordingly.
"Unfortunately, the works were carried out with significant deviations from the permit given. For example, bringing red sand and gravel and mixing it with the sea sands, depositing plastic containers, stripping sand on the drain on the beach to hide it, the deep plowing done with tractors on the waterfront and the creation of access roads and parking lots, apparently on private land and without The permits - all of these are offenses beyond the powers granted in the decree. This is a particularly destructive move, which goes against the entire plan, (which was to place facilities on the sandy area, without mixing any external material). The form of the work destroyed the upper layer of sand, which was a functional layer, in fact beyond repair It will no longer be possible to return this sand to being clean and natural sand.
A rare strip that was destroyed.
Polg Beach (Photo: ShutterStock)
Han added: "In the last few months, we have appealed several times to officials in the municipality of Netanya, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the Nature and Parks Authority. Unfortunately, there has been a complete rejection of our claims, and of the responsibility of the parties responsible for the works. It is absurd in our eyes, that a sporting event as important as the Maccabiah is used as an excuse for such damage severe in nature. We are in critical years for fighting the climate crisis. Nature and the coastal environment play a critical role in creating climatic balance. It is difficult to exaggerate the severity of the damage caused to nature by frivolity, ignorance, and bullying. As an Olympic athlete who has represented the country successfully and with honor for many years, we are sure that the values of nature and the environment are close and important to your heart."
Later, Zaevi responded to the letter: "I would like to update you on the decision that was made even before your letter. Like Maccabiah, we are establishing an independent conclusions committee headed by retired superintendent Meni Itzhaki that will examine all of the activity, including Polg beach. As a rule, the entire management of the project was guided and accompanied by the Nature Authority And the gardens, the authorized body on behalf of the State of Israel, and all its instructions along the way have been filled to the hilt. The matters raised by you, which in our opinion do not represent the picture as it is, will be presented to the conclusions committee."
The Nature and Parks Authority stated: "First of all, it should be noted that this is not a nature reserve or a national park. However, the Nature and Parks Authority works to monitor the works as part of its role to protect protected natural values, including maintaining a clean and unlit stretch of beach for sea turtle nesting on Israel's beaches At this time of the year. According to the findings tested and known to us, no soil was spilled in the fenced compound from an external source and there is no substantial and irreversible damage to the area. The authority, for its part, will continue to monitor the works during and after the end of Maccabiah in order to make sure that the contractor restores the condition of the area to its original state."
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