Green Now

Green Now (Hebrew: ירוק עכשיו) is an Israeli environmental nonprofit organization (amuta) dedicated to protecting nature and heritage values. Its stated goal is the "implementation of a Zionist environmental policy," and it concentrates its activities in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). The organization was founded by Nach'i Eyal and was led from its establishment until 2015 by Yael Israel, daughter of Minister Uri Ariel. Since 2024, it has been headed by Barak Varker. The organization operates in a space largely avoided by other Israeli environmental groups, which tend to be positioned on the political left and are reluctant to engage with the complex legal and political realities of the West Bank. Green Now addresses environmental hazards across Israel, with a special focus on Judea and Samaria, citing the complexity of applicable law, the absence of other environmental organizations in the area, and deficiencies in treatment by state and municipal authorities. It has criticized the State of Israel for treating Judea and Samaria as a "backyard" where actions not meeting Israeli environmental standards can be carried out. Its activities include handling public complaints about environmental hazards through legal counsel and volunteers; involvement in planning committees and filing objections; legislative advocacy, including applying alternative energy regulations to Judea and Samaria and amending the Mining Ordinance to expand criminal liability to those purchasing quarry materials from illegal quarries (the law passed the Knesset and took effect on January 1, 2013); filing petitions, including to the High Court of Justice regarding sewage at IDF bases in Beit El and illegal gas stations in Judea and Samaria; and research and reports, such as the 2024 report "Cross-Border Pollution" on the impact of environmental pollution originating in Judea and Samaria on all of Israel. The organization also engages in educational and social activities, including a unique green educational program in boarding schools, the "Ecological Community" competition for green communities, the "Beautiful and Sustainable Synagogue" competition in cooperation with the Council for a Beautiful Israel and the "Hebrew Nature" association, and a "Green Standard for Shabbat Bulletins" initiative to recycle weekly Torah sheets instead of burying them in genizah. It collaborates with environmental clinics at higher education institutions (Bar-Ilan University, Sha'arei Mishpat Academic Center, Sapir College), local councils, other environmental organizations, and research, science, and legal professionals.

Green Now (Hebrew: ירוק עכשיו) is an Israeli environmental nonprofit organization founded by Nach'i Eyal. From its establishment until 2015, it was led by Yael Israel, daughter of Minister Uri Ariel. Since 2024, Barak Varker has headed the organization. The organization focuses on environmental protection and heritage preservation, with a particular emphasis on Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). It aims to implement a "Zionist environmental policy" and operates in a space largely avoided by other Israeli environmental groups, which tend to be positioned on the political left and are reluctant to engage with the complex legal and political realities of the West Bank. Green Now addresses environmental hazards across Israel, citing the complexity of applicable law, the absence of other environmental organizations in the area, and deficiencies in treatment by state and municipal authorities. It has criticized the State of Israel for treating Judea and Samaria as a "backyard" where actions not meeting Israeli environmental standards can be carried out. The organization's activities include handling public complaints, involvement in planning committees, legislative advocacy, filing petitions, and producing research reports. Notable achievements include the amendment of the Mining Ordinance to expand criminal liability to those purchasing quarry materials from illegal quarries, which passed the Knesset and took effect on January 1, 2013. In 2024, it published the report "Cross-Border Pollution" on the impact of environmental pollution originating in Judea and Samaria on all of Israel. The organization also engages in educational and social activities, such as a green educational program in boarding schools, the "Ecological Community" competition, the "Beautiful and Sustainable Synagogue" competition, and the "Green Standard for Shabbat Bulletins" initiative. It collaborates with environmental clinics at higher education institutions, local councils, other environmental organizations, and research, science, and legal professionals.

• Amendment to the Mining Ordinance passed the Knesset and took effect on January 1, 2013.

• Yael Israel led the organization until 2015.

• Barak Varker became head of the organization in 2024.

• Published the report 'Cross-Border Pollution' in 2024.

Environmental nonprofit organization focusing on Judea and Samaria, promoting a Zionist environmental policy.

1. 1Green Now - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2ירוק עכשיו - Wikipedia (Hebrew)he.wikipedia.org