Haifa residents were smiling after hearing a court ruling would shut down the city’s ammonia tank once and for all, placing the deadline at July 31, 2017. However, it now appears their delight may have been premature.

However, following a more recent High Court of Justice ruling, the Ministry of Environmental Affairs is permitting the continued operation of the tank till the deadline.

From the government’s point of view, it is seeking clarification from the court, which has ordered the tank emptied. It wishes to establish if it must be entirely emptied or just enough to reach pump level. Some experts have already warned against totally emptying the tank, a process that carries its share of safety concerns. Haifa’s mayor wants the tank emptied entirely as many experts explain this can be done safely if the appropriate measures are taken in advance of emptying the tank.

City Hall remains one of the major opponents to the tank, well-aware of the risk posed to the area in a missile attack from Lebanon. Experts explain the tank, if full, could impact over a half million people. In addition to wartime, many are concerned with leaks or other mishaps that might expose local residents to potentially fatal hazard.

In the interim, while Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav continues calling for the removal of the tank, it appears even armed with a court ruling, the process is more complicated than first realized and in all likelihood, the matter will be back before a court before the 31 July deadline.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)