Haifa’s Mayor Labels Israeli Oil Refinery an ‘Existential Threat’ Following Iranian Attack
The mayor of Haifa has raised alarms regarding Israel's primary oil refinery, Bazan, declaring it to be "a serious and existential threat" to the city following its crippling in a retaliatory missile strike by Iran in mid-June.
Yona Yahav has called for the permanent evacuation and relocation of the facility, citing a “clear and undeniable” threat, as reported by the Hebrew-language daily Maariv.
The mayor has called for the immediate evacuation and relocation of the company from Tel Aviv.
On June 15, Iranian ballistic missiles targeted the Bazan Group’s oil refinery located in the Haifa Bay.
The strike was launched as a component of the Islamic Republic’s retaliatory initiative, True Promise III, which commenced on June 13. This operation was in direct response to what was described as the Israeli regime’s blatant act of aggression against the nation.
The strike resulted in the facility’s closure and significantly disrupted the regime’s fuel supply chains.
The mayor of Haifa announced plans to permanently cease operations at the pivotal refinery, vowing to take all necessary measures to eliminate it from the city.
Avihu Han, the leader of Haifa’s Environmental Association, called for the immediate suspension of the government’s reconstruction activities at the compromised facility.
In a recent statement, it was declared that there is no longer any place for this company in the central area of Haifa.
The facility plays a crucial role in meeting the substantial fuel requirements of the occupied regions, boasting a refining capacity of approximately 200,000 barrels daily.
