Israel Choking Map Reveals Widespread Waste Burning and Health Hazards
A new "Israel Choking Map" reveals 23,000 public reports of illegal waste burning, which accounts for 75% of Israel's carcinogenic air emissions and is tied to severe health crises.
Residents across Israel, from the Galilee to Beersheba, have repeatedly reported smoke and burning odors. Approximately 23,000 reports received by the "Clean Air Citizens" organization have now been consolidated into the "Israel Choking Map," illustrating the widespread impact of illegal waste burning across the country. The map is being published ahead of "National Choking Day," scheduled for Sunday, October 11.
Mapping the Nationwide Crisis
The reports were collected starting in April 2024 and point to recurring hazards from the northern Golan Heights to the southern Arava. Heavily impacted areas include the heart of the Galilee, the Lower Galilee, Menashe, the southern Sharon, the Ono Valley, the Modi'in region, Binyamin, the northern Dead Sea settlements, and the Beersheba area. The map relies on public reporting rather than sensor-based pollutant measurements.
Scale of Pollution and Health Impact
According to the organization's estimates, approximately half a million tons of various types of waste are burned annually in Israel. Data from the Ministry of Environmental Protection cited in the report indicates that these fires account for 75% of carcinogenic emissions into the air and about one-third of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions. Exposure to these particles from all pollution sources is linked to approximately 4,700 deaths annually in Israel and severe respiratory illness.
"The Israel Choking Map demonstrates that waste burning is not a local or isolated problem, but a national plague," said Yaniv Bleicher, CEO of Clean Air Citizens.
Demand for Political Action
Ahead of the upcoming elections, the organization is demanding that party leaders present a clear plan to address the issue. The organization also urges the public to continue reporting waste burning, smoke, or odor hazards via the Clean Air WhatsApp hotline.
