Dead Sea Deal: Israel Aims to Balance Profit and Nature

Israel has put forward a new plan to manage the Dead Sea's mineral resources. The goal is to make more money from these resources while also protecting the environment. The current deal, held by ICL Group for 50 years, is set to end in 2030. The government wants to open this up to more companies, hoping to attract big international players. ICL has been extracting minerals like potash and magnesium from the Dead Sea. They've had the exclusive rights for decades. But now, the government wants to change the rules. They plan to increase the state's share of the profits from 35% to 50%. This change aims to ensure that the public gets a fair share of the benefits. The Dead Sea is shrinking, and the new law also addresses this issue. It wants to reduce the negative effects of mining activities on the environment. The government believes that this new approach will bring in more competition and better protect the unique ecosystem of the Dead Sea. ICL has said they will join the new bidding process. They think they are the best choice to continue the work. The government agrees that the new law will help maximize economic value while protecting the environment for future generations.