Israel Action-Dumping in the Med

[The.Greenbase@gb.greenpeace.org]

GREENPEACE ACTION TO STOP ISRAELI BOAT FROM DUMPING TOXICS IN

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                   GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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GREENPEACE ACTION TO STOP ISRAELI BOAT FROM DUMPING TOXICS IN
                     THE MEDITERRANEAN


Mediterranean Sea, 7 May 1995 (GP) - Greenpeace activists on
board the ship "MV Greenpeace" Sunday morning prevented the
Israeli vessel "Aribel" from dumping toxic sludge in the
Mediterranean Sea. They were supported by two Israeli fishing
boats. The non-violent and direct action - the first one by
Greenpeace against an Israeli polluter - started at 8 AM
Israeli time, two
kilometres off the Israeli city of Haifa.

Six Greenpeace swimmers jumped in the waters and formed a
human barrier to prevent the "Aribel" from sailing to
international waters to dump waste containing a cocktail of
toxics: arsenic; heavy metals like cadmium, copper, zinc; etc.
The "Aribel" is also encircled by three Greenpeace
inflatables.

Activists on one inflatable held a banner saying: "The sea is
not a dumping ground". On board the MV Greenpeace at the
action site, the crew unfold a banner saying: "Not another
Dead Sea".


Israeli coast guards and police demanded that the action ends,
but Greenpeace said the action will only stop after the
"Aribel" returns the toxic sludge to sender, factories along
the Kishon River near Haifa.

The main polluter along the Kishon River there is "Haifa
Chemicals", a factory allowed by Israeli authorities to dump
about 50,000 tons of toxic sludge in international waters of
the Mediterranean Sea every year. It also discharges toxics
directly into the Kishon River.

Israeli Environment Minister Yossi Sarid told Greenpeace in
Haifa on Friday that at the fortcoming Barcelona Convention
meeting in June, Israel would commit itself to the strongest
possible measures to protect the marine environment.

Sarid also stated that no decision had yet been taken on how
to stop pollution in the Kishon River. However, he said the
Israeli Government would act with "the highest responsibility"
and in full compliance with International law, especially in
line with the Barcelona convention.

"Haifa Chemicals" plans to build pipelines which would relieve
the Kishon River, but would discharge toxics directly into the
Mediterranean Sea. The company claims the marine environment
will not be affected further than 200 metres from the pipe
end.

"This is wishful thinking," said Ory Zik, the representative
of Greenpeace's Mediterranean Office in Israel. "Cadmium is
carcinogenic. It can also effect the reproductive system.
Arsenic, lead and copper are also highly toxic substances."
Sediment samples taken from the Kishon River last year by
Greenpeace show alarming levels of cadmium. They also show
signs of HCBD, a highly toxic and bioaccumolative chemical,
which the Israel Government is committed, according to the
Barcelona Convention, to eliminate from the marine
environment.

Greenpeace points out that pollution from Haifa Chemicals and
other plants have already killed all life in the River Kishon.
If toxic waste is to be discharged into the Haifa Bay, it
could suffer the same fate.

"Haifa Bay should not be used as a toxic waste bin for Haifa
Chemicals or any other company. The proposed pipelines will
only hide the real damage being done to marine wildlife. The
only solution to this problem is to stop producing toxic waste
in the first place," said Ori Zik.

"The Mediterranean Sea will become another Dead Sea unless
Israel and other countries stop using it as an industrial
toilet," he added.


For more information please call Ori Zik, representative of
Greenpeace's Mediterranean Office in Israel, Tel 00972-50-
297437; or Mario Damato, Coordinator Mediterranean Office, on
board the "MV Greenpeace", Satellite Tel 00873-1300310.

ENDS