Data released by the Environment Ministry on Sunday showed that the fines issued for polluting the environment have quadrupled over the past five years and their numbers have risen 25 percent.

According to the Environment Ministry, courts handed out fines totaling NIS 9.21 million in 2006 in comparison to only NIS 2.71 million in 2001. The Haifa oil refinery was the recipient of the single largest fine of NIS 1.6 million.

Ministry officials said courts are nowadays much more likely to fine environmental-protection law offenders.

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Other statistics revealed Sunday show most of the cases investigated by the ministry dealt with pollution of water-sources and rivers.

In response, an environmental group official said "we welcome the judiciary and the Environment Ministry for channeling resources and attention to fighting environmental violations, but there is still more to be done. Environmental law enforcements in Israel does not deter potential polluters enough."