The Environment in Israel:
Overview

By Shoshana Gabbay

	Mount Carmel Nature Reserve

"One generation goes, another comes, and the earth remains forever..." (Eccles. 1:4)

Historic Overview

Nature Conservation

Landscape Conservation

Water Quality

Air Quality

Marine and Coastal Environment

Solid Waste

Hazardous Substances

Environmental Research

Toward a Sustainable Future

Israel is a small country, characterized by rapid population and economic growth. Established in 1948, its population has increased nearly eight-fold to 6.5 million today — mainly as a result of large-scale immigration. From a sparsely populated country in its early years, Israel has been transformed into a densely populated and highly developed country. In the area north of Be'er Sheva, it is now one of the world's most densely populated countries.

These unique circumstances present decision-makers with major challenges. Yet today, more than ever, Israel is ready to meet the challenges, to overcome the difficulties, to embark on a new path toward sustainability.

Shoshana Gabbay is the Editor of the Israel Environmental Bulletin, a publication of the Israel Ministry of the Environment. This article, which appears on the website of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs (August 2002) is reprinted here with the permission of the author.