This Audit Report is a part of a series of Reports on Environmental Protection regarding:
Background
An uncontrolled and unregulated waste burning, hasbeen occurring in the Judea and Samaria (West Bank) for at least 20 years. These fires emit many toxic1 pollutants into the air, exposure to which can lead to health damage, including a burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, difficulty breathing, chronic respiratory illness, heart disease, neurological problems, and in extreme cases immune system impairment, hormonal disruption, and cancer. The air pollution from these fires does not respect artificial boundaries, and reaches Palestinian and Israeli communities in the West Bank and in Israel, depending on prevalent meteorological conditions and wind patterns (transboundary air pollution). This audit on transboundary air pollution caused by burning mixed Palestinian household waste (mixed Palestinian waste) and electrical and electronic equipment waste (e-waste or WEEE) in Judea and Samaria (most of the WEEE burned in Judea and Samaria originates in the State of Israel).
The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MOEP) is responsible for environmental preservation in Israel, including reducing air pollution, waste management, and monitoring hazardous substances.
The Judea and Samaria area are unique as it consists of many disconnected and scattered territories close to each other, each classified differently (Areas A, B, or C), with differing sovereign powers and applicable laws. Environmental issues in Judea and Samaria are treated differently than in other areas of Israel, both in terms of environmental laws and the bodies authorized to operate in this field. The main governing bodies operating in environment in Judea and Samaria include : the Environmental Quality Unit (Environmental Staff Officer Unit) in the Civil Administration, headed by an Environmental Staff Officer (Environment KAMAT), the Central Supervision Unit in the Civil Administration (Supervision Unit), the Attorney General in Judea and Samaria, the MOEP serving, among other things, as a guide and professional advisor to the Environmental Staff Officer; councils of Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria; of municipal environmental quality associations in these areas; the National Fire and Rescue Authority; the Judea and Samaria District of the Israel Police (SHAI District); the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Palestinian local authorities.