Updates
Veolia Sells Its Shares in the Jerusalem Light Rail and Completes Withdrawal from the Israeli Market
More than a decade after winning the tender for the construction and operation of the Jerusalem Light Rail (JLR), Veolia Environnement’s subsidiary, Transdev, has sold all of its holdings in the JLR to a group of Israeli investors. The approval of the deal by the Israeli authorities and the completion of the ownership transfer, earlier this month, mark an end to Veolia’s operations in the Israeli market in general and to its involvement in the controversial JLR project in particular.
SodaStream Completes Withdrawal from Its Factory in Mishor Adumim in the West Bank
After SodaStream’s many announcements to withdraw from its factory in Mishor Adumim Industrial Zone, the company has now completed its withdrawal from its sole West Bank-based facility.
Forced Displacement: The Story of Al-Araqib
The Palestinian Bedouin village of al-Araqib was destroyed again, for the 86th time, on the 2nd of July 2015. As in previous demolitions, Volvo Group provided its wheel loaders to carry out the house demolitions and raze them to the grounds. In Al-Naqab (Negev) desert the threat of house demolitions and land grab hovers over 70,000 Palestinian Bedouins citizens who live in 35 “unrecognized” impoverished villages.
Veolia Environnement Sells Water, Waste and Energy Activities in Israel and the OPT
In July 2014, Veolia signed an agreement to sell its water, waste and energy activities in Israel to the US-based investment management firm Oaktree Capital Management. The deal was completed on 1 April 2015. Consequently, Veolia no longer has any holdings in the Tovlan landfill and the Ayalon wastewater treatment facility. However, Veolia continues to be involved in the Jerusalem Light Rail project.
Afek Oil and Gas Has Begun Drilling for Oil in the Occupied Golan
Israel dismissed petitions by environmental organizations against the drilling; Afek Oil and Gas immediately started preparations on the ground.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense Expands HP’s Biometric System in Checkpoints
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has expanded the use of Hewlett-Packard’s Basel biometric identification system to additional checkpoints in the occupied West Bank.
According to Israeli Media, German and Swiss Companies Won the Railway Track Tender of the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem Fast Train (A1)
Israeli news sources report that Max Bögl and Signon Schweiz won a tender for the construction and maintenance of the track and electronic systems of the A1 rail – a new high-speed train built on Palestinian land.
Veolia Tries to Sell Its Activities in Israel
Transdev (formerly Veolia Transdev) has signed a contract for the sale of its holdings in the Jerusalem light rail. In addition, ‘Veolia Environnement’ has agreed to sell its water, waste and energy activities in Israel to Oaktree Capital Fund. Both deals require approval from the Israeli authorities and the completion of ownership transactions. At the moment, this has not been achieved.