National Planning and Building Council okays Energy Ministry request for 10,000 more acres to be used for renewable electricity production; Environment Ministry opposes

Society for Protection of Nature in Israel, which opposed the move along with Environment Ministry and Nature Authority, argues existing communities should instead be expanded

National Planning and Building Council head says 'people need to get organized' ahead of plan's return to agenda, after recent decision to only recommend 1 new marina

'Concentrated dispersion' - the development of existing residential areas and less urban sprawl - adopted as way forward for building across Israel

Opponents warned that new marinas would limit access to already crowded beaches, cause environmental damage, and only benefit the few

Naval, planning experts tell confab that country needs laws, coordinating body, to ensure that sea, on which Israel depends for drinking water, fuel and trade, is properly managed

Environmental activists protest oil deal signed by Israeli state company and an Israeli-UAE consortium, as climate demonstrations are held nationwide over weekend

Infrastructure Committee greenlights two gas plant projects that Steinitz opposes - Kesem and Meeting of Peace on the coastal plain

Committee ratifies neighborhood of more than 5,000 homes in unspoiled area; agriculture minister pledges to prevent uprooting of trees, but activists say they will appeal to courts

In move welcomed by environmentalists, Energy Ministry says advances in technology will enable it to reach 30% renewables by 2030, but notes it will still need natural gas backup