Israel

Legal Framework
Country: 
Israel
EIA Law: 
Planning & Building Law 5725-1965 (with amendments) (Unofficial translation)
Law Link: 
Link
EIA Regulations: 
Planning & Building Regulations (Environmental Impact Statements) 5763-2003 (available in Hebrew)
Regulations Link: 
Link
EIA Procedure
Projects Requiring EIA: 
Government projects
Private Projects
Abridged Assessments: 
No
Assessment Detail: 
Abridged assessments are not discussed in the Planning & Building Law or Regulations.
Best Practices in Lieu of EIA: 
No
Who Conducts Screening: 
Government
Criteria for Screening: 
List or appendix of project or activity types
Proposed project or activity may cause significant environmental impact
Criteria for Screening Detail: 
The regulations identified certain types of activities that require the project proponent to submit an EIS. P&B Regulations, sec. 2(a). An EIS may be required for any plan that may have a significant impact on the environment. P&B Regulations sec. 2(2), 2(3).
Who Prepares EIA: 
Project Proponent (with or without contractor)
Who Pays for EIA: 
Project Proponent
EIA Contractor Qualifications: 
Yes
EIA Contractor Qualification Detail: 
"The Minister of Environmental Protection shall prescribe for the categories of plans the professions, the education and professional training, the qualifications and the professional experience required of a professional." Planning & Building Act sec. 83(B)(b)
Conflict of Interest: 
No
Conflict of Interest Detail: 
Conflicts of interest are not addressed in the Planning and Building Law or Regulations.
Terms of Reference: 
Yes
Days for Decision Maker Review: 
31-60
Automatic Approval: 
No
Written Decision: 
Yes
Written Decision Detail: 
Written decision is implied in P&B Regulations section 12(d). "The guidelines, the statement, the environmental adviser's opinion and the planning agency's decision shall constitute background documentation of the plan. . . ."
Authority to Impose Conditions: 
Yes
Authority to Impose Conditions Details: 
Yes, the planning agency shall decide which provisions for the prevention of negative environmental impacts (mitigation) shall be included as a condition for approval. P&B Regulations sec. (12)(c).
Expiry of Decision: 
Indefinite.
Financial Assurances or Bond: 
No
EIA Content
Interdisciplinary Team: 
No
Range of Alternatives: 
Yes
Range of Alternatives Detail: 
Terms of reference for preparing EIA "may" require project proponent to reference the environmental implications of other alternatives to the plan's proposed location, no action alternative, and technological alternatives. P&B Regulations sec. (8)(b)(2)
No Action Alternative: 
Yes
No Action Alternative Detail: 
Yes, if required by the project-specific terms of reference. P&B Regulations sec. (8)(b)(2)
Type(s) of Impact Analysis: 
Direct environmental impacts
Cumulative environmental impacts
Mitigation: 
Yes
Mitigation Detail: 
EIA shall include "proposals for means of preventing negative environmental impacts." P&B Regulations sec. (8)(b)(5)
Monitoring Plans: 
Yes
Monitoring Plans Detail: 
EIA shall include "proposals for . . . monitoring or follow up measures or other measures designed to protect the environment." P&B Regulations sec.(8)(b)(5)
Access to Information
Draft EIA Available: 
No
Draft EIA Locations: 
Other
Public Notice of Final EIA: 
Yes
Public Notice of Final EIA Detail: 
Although the public has access to the final EIA after it is deposited (approved), the Law and Regulations do not require public notice that the EIA is available.
Final EIA Available: 
Yes
Final EIA Available Detail: 
If the agency accepts the plan, the materials are available to the public. P&B Regulations sec. (12)(d)
Final EIA Locations: 
Internet
Agency or ministry office
Fee to View EIA Documents: 
No
Fee to Obtain EIA Documents: 
No
Availability of Reference Studies: 
Yes
Public Notice of Final Decision: 
Yes
Public Notice of Final Decision Detail: 
P&B Regulations sec. (12)(d)
Public Participation
Public Scoping: 
No
Public Review of TOR: 
No
Public Participation Opportunities: 
Review of final EIA
Public Meetings: 
No
Criteria to Hold Public Meeting: 
Other
Days for Public to Review Draft EIA: 
0
Days for Public to Review Final EIA: 
0
Public Comments on Draft EIA: 
No
Public Comments on Final EIA: 
No
Response to Public Comments: 
No
Response to Public Comments Detail: 
A Ministry of Interior investigator will conduct public hearings for the objectors. 1525-1965 (107)
Facilitation of Public Participation: 
No
Judicial Review/Enforcement
Citizen Administrative Review: 
Yes
Citizen Administrative Review Detail: 
District Courts are for appeals of quasi-judicial decisions of administrative agencies. Courts Law, 5744-1984 (33-42)
Citizen Judicial Review: 
Yes
Citizen Judicial Review Detail: 
Objectors can be heard under the general building and planning laws. P&B Act sec. (112)
Project Monitoring: 
Yes
Project Monitoring Detail: 
Depending on the scoping guidelines, the EIA may be required to include information on follow-up measures. P&B Regulations sec. (8)(b)(5).
Enforceability of EIA: 
No
Enforceability of Permit: 
No
Modified: June 26th, 2023