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Sue Surkes

Sue Surkes

The Times of Israel

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Long-lost Byzantine-era vines are again cultivated on ancient Negev terraces

Long-lost Byzantine-era vines are again cultivated on ancient Negev terraces

Discovery of 7th-century grape seeds at Avdat National Park in southern Israel inspires Nature and Parks Authority archaeologist to recreate wine...

04.08.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

As toxic sewage and factory sludge choke Hebron stream, locals refuse to go with the flow

As toxic sewage and factory sludge choke Hebron stream, locals refuse to go with the flow

Inadequate infrastructure and coordination result in dumping by Palestinian residents and industry, causing soil and groundwater pollution. Israel’s...

02.08.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Drought makes Israeli wildflowers change bloom schedule, study finds

Hebrew University team finds timing of water shortages matters more than duration, with fall and spring droughts narrowing flowering season

22.07.2026 200

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Inspired by IDF training, Israeli activist spearheads fight against global wildlife crime

Ofir Drori established a network that put 3,000 major animal traffickers behind bars. But now, he is struggling to keep his operation afloat

18.07.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Just before disbanding, Knesset passes long-awaited construction waste law

Law sets rules for waste from building sites through transport, processing, recycling; doesn’t apply to West Bank, where waste dumping is extensive;...

17.07.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

In world first, Weizmann Institute engineers bacteria that grow fast on diet of CO₂

With eventual aim of developing bacteria-based food product for humans and animals, researcher says ‘it’s like magic’

16.07.2026 70

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Welfare activists petition High Court against continuation of live animal shipments

Noting conditions at sea fail to meet minimum legal standards for animal welfare on land, petitioners call for changes in taxation to encourage...

16.07.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Study: During heatwaves, chronic disease sufferers visit hospitals more, stay longer

Pointing to the need for high staffing and more beds during hot summers, Taub Center research finds that more men and more affluent people rush to...

15.07.2026 40

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Indian Ocean may impact long, dry winter spells in Eastern Mediterranean – study

Hebrew University findings could help improve seasonal forecasting of drought risk in parched Levant

12.07.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

40 groups contest move to dilute environmental oversight of big projects

Planners propose generic impact tests to speed up development, but critics say Environmental Protection Ministry only body to provide science-based...

12.07.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Natural History Museum head quits in clash with Tel Aviv University

Prof. Tamar Dayan says transfer of senior academics from museum to university faculty will strip the former of academic standing; rector insists:...

09.07.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

El Niño could bring deadly floods, vicious winds, huge hailstones to Israel

Israel Meteorological Service presents three scenarios to help authorities prepare for events that are ‘low probability’ but would have ‘severe...

05.07.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Push for gas-fired power plants throws rural Israel into turmoil

Plan for up to 13 new stations to bolster country’s electric grid divides communities as state puts sensitive land deals in hands of private...

04.07.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Gaza border communities attract 5,000 new residents amid post-Oct. 7 rehabilitation

With 92% of Kibbutz Kissufim residents returning this week, Tekuma Directorate marks 1,000 days since deadly Hamas invasion, says over 1,000 projects...

01.07.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Comptroller flags key failures in evacuation, rehabilitation, of October 7 wounded

Lengthy report finds lack of policy, coordination, data, and funding , as well as poor effort to synchronize between government, volunteers, and...

30.06.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

KKL-JNF allots NIS 13 million for firefighting gear in 94 forest-adjacent communities

‘In a forest fire, the first few minutes are critical,’ says organization’s chairman Eyal Ostrinsky, highlighting need for local first responders

30.06.2026 60

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

State tells High Court it’s not obliged to have targets for emissions cuts

Responding to country’s first petition against its climate change policy, government claims international pacts require ‘continuous effort’...

29.06.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Jerusalem’s surplus produce goes to waste. An upstart NGO seeks to fix the system

Group salvaging up to 10 tons of food weekly launches Israel’s first Urban Food Policy Forum in hope that citywide coordination feeds more hungry...

29.06.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Israeli study unlocks 4,000 years of climate change and human adaptation

University of Haifa co-led study of Carmel Coast mud cores finds ancient Levantine communities adapted to drought rather than simply collapsing or...

20.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Explosion of feral dog population threatens big cities with rabies, nature expert warns

Chief Scientist of Israel Nature and Parks Authority notes huge increase in dogs with rabies, wider distribution, while blaming poor sanitation

18.06.2026 90

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Jarred by Israel’s lack of readiness, volunteer rescuers train for quake they know is coming

With country 99 years into century-long cycle but still well behind on reinforcing structures, social org prepares civilian teams to dig through...

16.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Youngest-ever KKL-JNF chair vows to cut waste, mend fences and rebuild trust

Eyal Ostrinsky says the org won’t buy West Bank land or fund projects for right-wing settler youth, claiming his priorities are more traditional —...

13.06.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

In south Tel Aviv, organic plant waste powers an eco-friendly mini-economy

Residents of the Shapira neighborhood trade organic refuse for ‘currency’ to help fund a thriving community garden and farmers’ market. Now, the...

13.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Israeli study on how damselflies get their vivid colors could help replace toxic dyes

Scientists reveal how microscopic structures and pigments work together to create intense, stable hues

12.06.2026 80

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Photography contest captures fragile beauty of marine life

Tel Aviv Cinematheque hosting exhibition of 40 out of 600 photographs submitted to Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel

11.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Haifa oil refineries ‘will close in 2029,’ says head of Haifa Bay development agency

Yuval Admon, working within the Prime Minister’s Office, says 2026 crucial for shortening timelines, while KKL-JNF boss pledges NIS 100 million for...

10.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Haifa University researchers spot two rare sperm whales off southern coast

Surprise sighting cut short after monitoring team forced to evacuate to shore due to Iranian missile alert

08.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Nature Authority to remove 40,000 tons of soil polluted in massive 2014 oil spill

Inspectors will guide every tractor driver to ensure minimum harm to sensitive arid ecosystem near Eilat, where acacia trees are failing to germinate...

02.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Knesset committee extends money laundering law to wildlife trafficking

Move allows authorities to follow money trail, track down criminals involved in what is regarded as fourth-largest category of illegal global trade

02.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Filling global data gap, Israeli team trucks roving climate lab across East Africa

Mobile tower and sensors developed by Weizmann Institute in Revohot sent to measure impact of land use changes on climate, starting in Kenya

02.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Environment Minister slams data from her own ministry as ‘fake news’

Idit Silman blasts NGO for releasing figures obtained through Freedom of Information request showing 83 percent drop in indictments against...

01.06.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Germinated by its founder’s trauma, growing farm network cultivates healing through work

Rimon Farms Association, which harnesses nature and agriculture to help PTSD sufferers and youth at risk, is now fundraising to seed two new programs...

28.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Energy Ministry presents strategic roadmap for renewable energy by 2035

Plan, to be presented to president, details path to more than double renewable energy production, get rid of obstacles, improve coordination

27.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

In shock decision, National Security Council stops work on climate change

NSC says pair of panels established during previous gov’t to monitor effects of climate change on national security have ceased operating, sparking...

20.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

New ‘PTSD-friendly’ scheme aims to adapt Israel’s public spaces

Popular apps such as Ontopo for restaurant reservations and Easy business directory will add PTSD filters, with participating venues self-certifying

19.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Court petitioned against ‘deadly’ lifeline granted to coal-fired power station

Predicting multiple deaths from pollution, Sharon-Carmel Cities Association, green NGOs, claim amended emissions permit violates Israeli law, European...

18.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

In boon for marine life, Agriculture Ministry bans fishing drones

Remotely piloted aircraft allow enthusiasts to cast rods hundreds of meters out to sea, where larger creatures such as sea turtles roam

17.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Milking it: New figures show Israelis consuming more dairy products and alternatives

Agriculture Ministry publishes new figures ahead of Shavuot and in wake of Knesset Committee OK to expand Dairy Council powers, despite Treasury...

17.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

State bodies, NGOs up in arms over oil company’s plan to move into fiber optics

Opponents say law limits Europe Asia Pipeline Company to transporting, storing crude oil; EAPC insists project will make Israel a regional...

13.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Marine survey spots rare bird and thriving dolphins

Carried out by Israel Nature and Parks Authority, two-day survey along Mediterranean coast is first of its kind since 2022

13.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Farmers urge policy shift on foot-and-mouth outbreak as farms become overcrowded

Calling for new risk assessment and financial compensation, co-op says new Agriculture Ministry guidelines take the wrong approach

12.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Pop-up stop for soldiers on Gaza border draws volunteers from across the globe

Begun by a handful of brothers eager to help fellow Israelis on October 7, 2023, Shuva Achim has become a second home for soldiers and a magnet for...

09.05.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Ramat Gan Safari bids farewell to Bahati, iconic 65-year-old elephant

One of the oldest recorded female African elephants in the world, she bore five calves and boasts a lineage of 52 elephants across European zoos

05.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

High Court allows Bazan to build new power plant after old one damaged by Iran

However, judges note oil refinery will eventually have to close in line with government decision

05.05.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Survey finds fewer than 25% of Gaza border residents feel safe, 40% don’t trust state

But detailed progress report by Tekuma Directorate at halfway mark of five-year term finds rising life satisfaction, optimism about future

04.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Sea of Galilee trail plan that keeps parts of shore off-limits to public sparks outcry

Green groups fight to stop national planners from okaying fences, locked gates and bypass routes along parts of 32-km stretch of Sea of Galilee hiking...

04.05.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Riding the rails through a fractured land, young people reflect on real life, today

Along a journey from Nahariya on the Lebanese border to the southern city of Beersheba, six interviewees discuss 30 months of war, society, Israeli...

03.05.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

Great excitement as first orangutan is born at Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

Cayaha, a name that means ‘light’ in Indonesian, born as part of European zoo breeding program, as critically endangered wild populations continue...

29.04.2026 100

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

After years in limbo, court lets Syrian convert live in Israel with husband, a disabled vet

Interior Ministry had repeatedly denied couple’s efforts to build a home in the country, despite woman’s conversion to Judaism and severing of...

29.04.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes

The Mediterranean: Warmer, saltier, more acidic, and rising fast — report

Annual national monitoring report paints stark picture of sea under threat from climate change, with invasive species taking over and local ones...

29.04.2026 150

The Times of Israel

Sue Surkes