Annual State of Nature report highlights negative consequences of galloping urbanization amid population growth, but notes increase in protected open space

Alternate PM vetoes appointment of Yossi Beilin to lead Israel Nature and Parks Authority after backlash from right

Court approves settlement deal between EAPC and parks authority for damage caused in 2016 to over 2,600 corals and other creatures in Red Sea

Dead animals found in Mitzpe Ramon, in blow to endangered population of around 1,500; nature authorities to perform autopsies

Volunteers remove 45 kgs of garbage from between the sunken pillars and submerged ruins of historic seaport; teams worked at dozens more sites up and down Mediterranean coast

Nature and Parks Authority says leak from supply canal caused salination of soil; plants dying as a result of the leak, some of them protected species; ICL says working to fix it

Hikers flock to nature reserves while beaches see tens of thousands of visitors ahead of the Shavuot holiday; 2 women rescued after being swept into deep water at Sea of Galilee

As the nation girds for fire season, communities in the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council threatened by a large blaze last year are being accused of ignoring advice to avoid a repeat

Report, which says state has no strategic action plan for dealing with decline, coincides with battle between green organizations, environment minister over biodiversity bill

Sea of Galilee sees another 25,000 visitors; parks authority anticipating heavy crowds on Saturday as well