About

טקסט עליון
Since its establishment in 2011, the Mine and UXO Clearance Authority has been working to formulate mine clearance standards and procedures, to plan and implement clearance plans, to monitor the work of the clearance and inspection companies - and eventually, to prevent as much as possible the life threatening risks arising from the minefields and UXO areas scattered throughout Israel

The Mine and UXO Clearance Authority (RLPM) was established by virtue of the Mine and Unexploded Ordnance Clearance Law, 2011 (add a link to the law). Following the government resolution which stated that there are minefields that are no longer essential for state security and that their existence poses an unnecessary risk to the citizens of the state, the law was enacted - and it was determined that a special-purpose authority would be established to handle the matter.

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The Main Functions of the Authority:

• Formulate national mine clearance specifications - taking into consideration IDF's procedures and to the maximum extent possible in compliance with international mine clearance standards.

• Plan and implement annual and multi-annual mine clearance plans.

• Contact clearance and inspection companies.

• Supervise the work of the clearance and inspection companies.

• Coordinate the companies' activities with the IDF and other public bodies as required.

• Patrol, maintain and repair the fence and signage of minefields which were issued a permit.

• Plan, promote and organize outreach activities - to increase public awareness of safety practices and reduce the risks in the areas adjacent to minefields, particularly among populations living in their vicinity.

• Advise the education system of outreach programs and activities.

According to the Law, alongside the establishment of the Mine and UXO Clearance Authority, two additional bodies were established:

The Advisory Committee

The advisory committee to the Mine and UXO Clearance Authority consists of representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Negev, the Galilee and National Resilience, the Ministry of Tourism, Israel Lands Authority, the Center of Regional Councils in Israel and mine victims. The role of the committee is to approve the Authority's plans and the implementation of the budget.

The Donation Fund

According to the Law the Authority's budget will amount to at least NIS 27 million per year. In addition to this budget, a donation funds can be used to finance mine and UXO clearance operations. For this purpose, the donation fund was established, whose function is to manage donation funds designated for mine and UXO clearance. About seven years after the enactment of the Law, on December 25, 2018, an amendment to the law was passed in the second and third reading. The amendment has mainly expanded the Authority's powers to also handle anti-tank mines and UXOs. After a preparation period of several months, the Authority began to implement the changes - and currently it has the ability to clear both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines and UXOs.