Menashe Residents Protest Over Years of Toxic Smoke and Illegal Waste Fires
Residents of the Menashe region are protesting against ongoing toxic smoke and chemical odors caused by illegal waste burning, demanding urgent government action.
Residents of the Menashe region have been struggling for over two years with thick smoke and severe chemical odors, which they claim are caused by illegal burning of plastic and agricultural waste in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, Jatt, and nearby areas. On Tuesday at 20:00, they are set to protest outside the regional council building, protesting the ongoing nuisance and what they describe as inaction by the authorities.
Air Pollution and Health Risks
According to data presented by the Sharon-Carmel Cities Association, on one night in September, a nearly eightfold spike was recorded in the concentration of fine respirable particulate matter. These pollutants can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, and exposure to them is linked to health risks, including cardiovascular diseases. Residents report that due to the smoke and odors, they are forced to keep their windows closed at night.
The hazard occurs mainly during agricultural transition seasons in communities such as Ma'or, Lehavot Haviva, and Sde Yitzhak. According to residents, the materials burned include greenhouse plastic sheets, plastic pipes, pesticide containers, and yard waste. They claim that high landfill costs and the lack of an organized recycling system contribute to the scale of the fires.
Demands for Government Action
Residents state that calls to the fire department do not always resolve the issue. In some cases, fire engines arrive without engineering equipment to cover the burning sites because the incidents are not classified as immediate life-threatening emergencies. Consequently, the smoke continues to degrade air quality even after visible flames are extinguished.
"We are suffering from toxic smoke night after night, and the authorities simply look away," local residents stated.
Nationwide, approximately half a million tons of waste are burned annually. Environmental organizations and activists from "Citizens for Clean Air" argue that this stems from ongoing neglect and inadequate waste infrastructure. They point out that a previously allocated budget of 550 million shekels for waste management in the Arab sector was never actually transferred. Residents and environmental activists are demanding that the government establish a national emergency plan with proper funding to stop the waste fires and protect public health.
