- Ministry of the Environment (Israel)
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The Ministry of the Environment (Hebrew: המשרד להגנת הסביבה, HaMisrad LeHaganat HaSviva, lit. Ministry of the defense of the environment; Arabic: وزارة حماية البيئة) in the State of Israel is one of government offices that is in charge of protecting the cleanliness of all public areas and preventing contamination of water resources, among other things. Its political head is the Environmental Protection Minister.
A basic volunteer for the ministry is called a "Ne'eman Nikayon", translated literally as a "clean trustee" but more accurately described as a volunteer cleanliness protection officer. They are certified under the "Cleanliness protection law of 1984". A volunteer must pass a one-day course where they learn the basic laws involved in their ability to report violations of Israeli littering laws. Once certified, a volunteer can write out tickets against violators and submit them directly to the ministry of the environment for processing. In almost all cases a simple fine is issued (ranging from 250 - 8000 Israeli new sheqel), but under some circumstances the case may be sent automatically to a judge (especially in the case of a repeat offender) to determine special punishment.
The ministry of the environment has paid inspectors (Pakachim) who serve in a similar capacity as a basic volunteer, as well as holding additional powers according to Israeli law.
The ministry of the environment is also in charge of animal rights issues under a separate division under the "Cruelty to Animals Law of 1994".
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