Israeli agriculture at risk ahead of High Holy Days as desalination systems remain nonfunctional

Most of Israel's water desalination facilities were shut down due to unusually high seawater turbidity, a natural phenomenon not seen in 20 years, raising significant concerns for the agricultural sector, particularly in the South. The Water Authority and Energy and Infrastructure Ministry are working to ensure household water supplies by increasing pumping from wells and the Sea of Galilee, and activating additional desalination facilities. However, operating facilities with turbid water risks severe damage.

• The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is mapping affected farms and collaborating with the Water Authority and Mekorot to restore agricultural water, especially in Ramat Hanegev where crops like young seedlings and greenhouses face irreversible damage.
• Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen stated, “We are working to increase the rate of pumping from wells and the Sea of Galilee, and we have also approved the activation of two additional desalination facilities in order to ensure water supplies.”
• The Israel Farmers Federation is demanding immediate government intervention and compensation, warning of severe, irreversible damage to crops and a threat to food security ahead of the High Holy Days.
• This incident follows State Comptroller reports highlighting past issues with desalination plant management, including 14 contamination-related stoppages between 2007 and 2023 due to microbial contamination, fuel, oil, and turbidity.