A little over a month into the swimming season, and Israel's beaches are already crowded. But in addition to the sun, sand and warm water visitors also "enjoy" a whole lot of garbage.
According to the Ministry of the Environment's "Clean Beach" index, most undeclared beaches in northern Israel that were surveyed in the last month were found to be rather dirty, with their ranking ranging from "mediocre" to "very dirty."
The ministry's inspections found large quantities of trash in the beaches of Achziv, Nahariya and Acco. Surveys conducted in the beaches of Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Haim, Tira, Habonim and Nachsholim also led to disappointing findings.
Beaches to the south, including some of the sites in Netanya and Herzliya also failed the inspections, as well the undeclared beaches of the southern city of Ashkelon.
Clean beaches were found mainly in Tel Aviv and Eilat.
The "Clean Beach" index examines the level of cleanliness in undeclared beaches, where no rescue or other services are provides, and to which entry is free of charge. These beaches are under the responsibility of the local authorities.
According to the latest report, only 66% of the beaches inspected were found to be "clean" or "very clean."
Head of the Sea and Beach Department at the ministry, Rani Amir, said that all local authorities have received the necessary budgets for keeping the beaches clean, and that they are required to have beaches under their authority cleaned twice a week during the summer months and once a week during winter.