July 19, 2026 — Despite the political tensions at the end of the Knesset session, Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz and opposition representative MK Merav Ben Ari agreed to bring the legislation targeting environmental offenders, illegal dumping in open areas and waste fires to a vote.
Under intense political pressure, the Knesset Plenum on Thursday, approved the Construction Waste Law in its second and third readings. The legislation was spearheaded by MK Yitzhak Kreuzer, chair of the Knesset Interior and Environment Committee, and members of the committee.
The cooperation between coalition and opposition lawmakers represents a dramatic achievement for public health and environmental protection, demonstrating that even during periods of intense political polarization, issues that are legitimately at the top of the public health agenda can overcome political wrangling.
The law takes a head-on, proactive approach to address one of the primary causes of environmental harm: the illegal dumping of construction waste in open areas, a practice that causes severe air, water and soil pollution. The new legislation introduces a series of practical tools to combat environmental offenders and will dramatically reduce damage to open spaces, streams and groundwater. Above all, it will help reduce the massive fires that are damaging the health and quality of life of millions of people – men, women and children, Jewish and Ara, on both sides of the “green line.”
For the first time, the law requires waste disposal trucks to be equipped with digital GPS tracking systems. This will help remove criminal organizations from the industry and limit their ability to dump waste at unsupervised sites. The law also introduces a regulated payment mechanism to prevent money laundering and expands enforcement powers and fines against offenders.
MK Yitzhak Kreuzer: “The new law is a revolution that will cut off the head of the snake behind illegal trash burning. For years, criminals have turned Israel’s open spaces into the Wild West at the expense of public health. No more. Through digital monitoring systems, clearly defined end-to-end responsibility and dramatically tougher penalties, we are changing the rules of the game and restoring effective governance and clean air to millions of residents.”
Barak Werker, CEO of Green Now: “This is a historic breakthrough in the fight against environmental crime after years of lawlessness. Today, the Knesset raised the environmental flag and demonstrated that protecting nature and the environment is a shared interest that transcends all political disagreements.”
Meir Deutsch, CEO of the Regavim Movement, added: “For years, we have fought against the environmental chaos that causes enormous environmental and health damage and destroys thousands of dunams of open land. We welcome the completion of this legislation, and applaud Interior Committee Chairman MK Yitzhak Kreuzer and the other Knesset members who demonstrated leadership and national responsibility in protecting the State of Israel’s natural and land resources.”
For interviews, contact Naomi Kahn, Director of Regavim’s International Division, at +972-52-238-1039.
