Iran missile strikes reshape Israel’s battle over the future of Haifa’s refineries

Five years after an inter-ministerial committee recommended evacuating the Bazan oil refineries from Haifa Bay, National Economic Council Chairman Prof. Avi Simhon is reviving efforts to advance the plan. A new inter-ministerial team, led by Simhon, has been established to examine how to meet the government's March 2022 decision to evacuate Bazan by the end of 2029, a timeline already facing delays. The team will address obstacles such as building alternative storage facilities and opposition to the plan.

“The missile strikes changed the picture”

The decision to form the new team is partly driven by the changing geopolitical and security environment, including recent missile attacks on Israel's critical infrastructure by Iran, which highlighted Bazan's vulnerability. The team will also consider concerns raised by the National Emergency Management Authority and the National Security Council regarding the impact of closing Bazan on Israel's energy resilience, with some arguing for the preservation of domestic refining capabilities. The team is expected to present recommendations within six months.