Erdan considers shaking up Environmental Protection Ministry

By EHUD ZION WALDOKS
New Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) announced Thursday that he would be appointing an outside committee to examine the ministry and come up with recommendations and models for change within sixty days. Erdan made the comment during the changeover ceremony with outgoing minister Gideon Ezra (Kadima) at the ministry's Jerusalem offices in the presence of the entire staff and representatives of environmental NGOs and others. Erdan, quoting everything from Kohelet Rabba to former US President George W. Bush, promised to move the environment up to the top of the national agenda. He said that while he did not view industry as the enemy, he would have "zero tolerance" for polluters.