A request to certify a class action lawsuit amounting to approximately 140 million NIS has been filed in the Beersheba District Court against the Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Company and the Europe Asia Pipeline Company (EAPC). The request was submitted by two taxi drivers residing in Eilat, who claim to represent a group of approximately 70,000 individuals, including residents, tourists, and workers exposed to the operations of the oil terminal and port in the city over a five-year period.
According to a report on the Ice website, the plaintiffs allege that between 2021 and 2025, incidents of severe air pollution and odor nuisances occurred, causing them physical and health-related damages, including headaches, feelings of suffocation, nausea, and dizziness. To support their claims, the applicants attached documentation to the certification request listing 142 official complaints submitted to the Eilat Municipality regarding strong fuel and oil odors. Furthermore, the request mentions an official inquiry made by the Mayor to EAPC management following a malfunction in a fuel vapor combustion facility at the site.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for non-monetary damages in the amount of approximately 2,000 NIS for every person exposed to the nuisances, based on the environmental legal principle of 'the polluter pays.' In addition to the financial component, the plaintiffs demand that the court issue a permanent injunction requiring EAPC to regulate work procedures in its facilities in a manner that prevents the recurrence of environmental nuisances.
Conversely, EAPC rejects the plaintiffs' claims in their entirety. In a response provided to the PsakDin website, the company stated that it places great importance on environmental protection and invests significant resources in it. EAPC further emphasized that its activities are carried out in accordance with instructions and compliance with extremely stringent standards. The company stated that a preliminary examination of the request suggests that these are unfounded claims and that a detailed response will be submitted to the court following an in-depth review of the pleadings.
The practical significance of this proceeding for companies operating in the industrial and energy sectors lies in the importance of preparing for increased environmental scrutiny and the need for meticulous documentation of operational procedures, as claims of this nature can lead to complex legal proceedings and demands for extensive financial compensation. At present, the claims in the motion to certify the class action have not yet been adjudicated by the court, and the proceeding is in its preliminary stages.