Call follows raids by ministry's Green Police on 59 businesses, triggering fines and legal proceedings

Plastic Bag Law, passed in March 2016, included fine scale, but could not be implemented until accompanying regulations were approved

Event in and around Mediterranean, Red Sea and Sea of Galilee aimed at pressing for more marine reserves and better enforcement against litterbugs, single-use plastic ban

Despite opposition of drinks companies, ultra-Othodox, Gila Gamliel announces change to law as 'win-win for environment, society, economy'; to save public NIS 60 million per year

NIS 80 million available for cutting plastic bag use, yet no government targets set; Tel Aviv ranked third among 22 Mediterranean beaches for most plastic pollution along coastline

In potential 'revolution from below,' MK Micky Haimovich coaxes officials to stop blocking council efforts to ban single-use plastic in nature and approve bylaw changes

Environmentalists and 15 mayors say longstanding exemption for bottles over 1.5 liters hampers recycling efforts and costs public millions of shekels each year

In pushback against industry claims, over 100 scientists and doctors from Israel and worldwide say reusable utensils, bags, containers safe if basic hygiene maintained

Municipality announces move to avoid polluting Red Sea, with several coastal cities planning similar action

Photos of the teen Swedish climate activist being placed in work places to discourage using disposable plasticware