The Steering Committee for Dealing with the Climate Crisis contacted Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on January 26, 2026, following publications about considering withdrawing from the UN climate agreements, and called for public clarification, full transparency, and strengthening Israel's involvement in international frameworks.
The Steering Committee for Dealing with the Climate Crisis of the Israel National Academy of Sciences expresses “deep concern” following publications according to which discussions are taking place in the Foreign Ministry regarding the possibility of Israel withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and even from other UN environmental frameworks. In a letter sent on January 26, 2026 to Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, the committee members emphasize that “to the best of our knowledge, no official decision has yet been made” and that no official notification has been given to international bodies, but the very fact that the discussions are taking place – as reported – “arouses serious public and scientific concern, and justifies a clear public clarification.” (I haaretz.co)
“These are not marginal or symbolic agreements”
In the letter, the committee notes that the Paris Agreement and the Framework Convention are not “marginal or symbolic agreements,” but rather “a central framework for scientific, technological, and economic cooperation between countries” in dealing with the climate crisis, to which Israel joined “of its own free will.” According to them, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and certainly from the UNFCCC would “disconnect Israel from knowledge mechanisms” and harm its scientific and political status: “A comprehensive disengagement from the international system… would harm and symbolize such a move… would include disconnection from reporting systems, access to collaborations, and important international preparedness and response.”
The committee emphasizes that for Israel, which is not “like larger countries,” the ability to plan policy and prepare for a changing reality depends “largely on close information exchange for the purposes of climate projections.” In other words, the argument is not just ethical or diplomatic: it is operational. If Israel moves away from these frameworks, it could lose access to knowledge routines, data comparisons, professional forums, and collaborations that actually feed into decision-making.
“Such a move could harm Israel – even now”
Beyond the international implications, the committee notes that the potential damage is also local and immediate, because Israel is already facing tangible “climate challenges.” The letter states that possible consequences include “extreme heat stress,” “droughts,” “damage to ecosystems,” “risks to public health,” and damage to the economy and operational readiness. The committee members warn that weakening international commitment could send the public, the scientific community, and the younger generation “the wrong message” that this is an issue that can be sidelined.
At the same time, in recent days there have also been increasing reactions from civil and economic elements warning of possible harm to Israel's status vis-à-vis trade partners and supply chains, and in particular vis-à-vis markets that are tightening environmental standards. (calcalist)
Three requirements: clarification, transparency, and strengthening engagement
After presenting the concerns, the committee poses three operational demands, in clear and concise language:
- Unambiguous public clarification: “To make it clear publicly and unequivocally that the State of Israel is committed to the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”
- Full transparency in every substantive discussion: The committee demands a commitment that any possible discussion of policy change will take place “with full transparency,” presenting “professional reasons” and involving the public and the scientific community.
- Strengthening Israeli involvement in UN frameworks: “Strengthen and increase Israel’s involvement in UN environmental frameworks, especially during a time of global uncertainty.”
The letter states that the steering committee is “committed to making reliable scientific knowledge available to decision-makers and the public,” adding: “We are at your disposal for any professional discussion on the subject, out of responsibility for the future of the State of Israel and future generations.”
The letter is signed by the committee chairman, Prof. Dan Yakir (Weizmann Institute of Science) and the committee members: Prof. Zvi Ben-Avraham (Tel Aviv University), Prof. Naama Goren-Inbar (Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Prof. Nadav Davidovich (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev), Prof. Yoav Yair (Reichman University), Prof. Yossi Yahel (Tel Aviv University), Prof. Shlomit Paz (University of Haifa), Prof. Talia Shapir, Prof. Danny Rabinowitz (Tel Aviv University), Prof. Danny Rosenfeld and Prof. Eitan Sheshinsky (Hebrew University of Jerusalem).
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