The Knesset on Sunday 9 Nissan unveiled the largest solar field of any parliament in the world. During the festive dedication ceremony, which was held on a balcony located near one of the Knesset’s roofs, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein said, “What is happening before our very eyes is indeed exciting, a true revolution. It is not just the solar panels; it is the message, the idea, the new path. This is not merely a revolution in energy-saving; it is also a turning point with regards to the environmental awareness revolution that we have been promoting over the past two years.”
“The installment of the solar panels, the highlight of the Green Knesset Project, will bring about the optimal use of solar energy, which, thank G-d, we have here in abundance, and will lead – along with the other [energy-saving] measures we have taken – to major savings in the consumption of electricity – which constitutes a third of the Knesset’s total energy consumption,” Edelstein told those on hand.
“This saving of energy has far-reaching environmental implications, not only in the direct economic sense, but also in the sense that it will dramatically reduce the harm caused to the environment,” the Speaker stated.
“We are at the beginning of the initiative, rather than at its end, but this is undoubtedly an important turning point, in which we can look back with satisfaction at everything that has been done with great success. I wish to thank you all very much, and I hope to see the Knesset many years from now leading the green revolution while serving as an example of vision and inspiration for organizations, parliaments around the world, government offices and every citizen.”
Naor Yerushalmi, CEO of the Life and Environment organization, said “Yesterday, Earth Hour was marked all over the world. Two days prior to that we all moved to Summer Time – which saves energy – and here we are today, taking another step together on the way to sustainability, and mainly towards what we will leave for future generations. Environmental protection is not a luxury. We must preserve it, for ourselves and for the next generations. The new government will face many challenges, and dealing with the environmental challenges in Israel is one of them.”
“It is wonderful to find out that less than a year after the Knesset received the Green Globe award, most of the promises have been fulfilled. This is true environmental leadership. I hope the leadership you have displayed here in the Knesset will encourage others, mainly the new government, [to follow suit],” he said.
“I hope this solar roof will serve as a green beacon of environmental activity for the entire public in Israel and for the new Knesset members,” Yerushalmi added.
During the ceremony, Knesset Speaker Edelstein and Director-General Ronen Plot handed out certificates of appreciation to MK Dov Khenin and members of the outgoing Knesset Nitzan Horowitz and Zevulun Kalfa for their environmental activity during the 19th Knesset. Certificates were also given to Director-General Plot – who is spearheading the Green Knesset Project – as well as to Samuel Chayen – sustainability coordinator for the Green Knesset Project – and Nir Nakdimon, deputy-director of the Knesset Construction and Maintenance Department.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
WHEN YERUSHALAYEEM TURNS BLACK
FROM CLOUDS AND THUNDER BECAUSE THEY GAVE AWAY LAND”’AGAIN”’…
That land is HASHEMS GIFT to ISRAEL THE NATION.
It is not a goverments right
to give away HASHEMS GIFT.
all the solar panels in the world will not help them