Israeli Policies for Preventing and Responding to Oil Spills on Land and at Sea

Abstract

Abstract This article explores the contributions of non-governmental entities to Israeli policies for preventing and responding to oil spills on land and at sea. It discusses the legal and practical aspects of Israeli policies, reviews the country's experiences with oil spills, and examines two case studies. The policies in question exhibit characteristic features of the Israeli polity, such as centralization and deficiencies in long-term planning; activism by the judiciary, the media, experts, NGOs, and a multitude of public agencies; and procrastination, indecisiveness, and securitization. The non-governmental entities involved dispose of vital material and nonmaterial resources and play a visible role through information sharing, lobbying, litigating, and direct action. Deficiencies in governance harm prospects for streamlining these policies and enhancing the contributions of non-governmental entities.