Idan Ofer

In June 2017, the collapse of a dam at a Rotem Amfert reservoir, part of the ICL group, released a large volume of acidic effluent into Ashalim Stream, causing an ecological disaster. Class actions and proceedings resulted in a settlement of approximately 115 million shekels, among Israel's largest environmental cases.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Better Place, largely financed by Israel Corporation, collapsed in 2013 after absorbing hundreds of millions of dollars. Liquidators and shareholders subsequently brought proceedings against former executives and directors, including Idan Ofer. In 2022, the Israeli Supreme Court partially allowed an appeal on a limited issue concerning independent judgment and remitted that aspect without ruling on the merits of liability.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Accused

An Israeli television investigation broadcast in 2019 alleged that Idan Ofer had hired private intelligence company Black Cube in 2014 to gather information about officials and public figures amid debate over taxation of natural resources. The affair sparked considerable controversy over the use of private intelligence firms by major economic interests.

Attribution

Personally implicated

The Israeli state and Dead Sea Works, an ICL subsidiary controlled through Israel Corporation, disputed for years the calculation of royalties owed for exploiting Dead Sea resources. Arbitration found in the state's favour on significant issues and led ICL to pay additional amounts, including approximately 70 million shekels plus costs in the final phase reported in 2019.

State of the evidence

Documented

Israel's Concentration Committee recommended denying Tzomet Energy, controlled by Idan Ofer's group, a conditional electricity generation licence because of the group's overall economic concentration. A subsequent compromise provided for Ofer to sell his stake in Reshet Media and undertake not to hold communications interests for 25 years, allowing the energy project to proceed.

State of the evidence

Documented

NGO Shipbreaking Platform gave Idan Ofer its negative "worst dumper" award for 2015, claiming that Quantum Pacific had sold most of its end-of-life vessels to beach-based shipbreaking yards in Bangladesh, and continued to identify the group among the major participants in these practices in 2017. The NGO associates beaching with serious environmental and social risks.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Zim, controlled through Israel Corporation by Idan Ofer, underwent several debt restructurings following the global shipping crisis. In 2009 and again in the early 2010s, banks and bondholders had to accept deferrals, debt conversions and substantial losses, while Israel Corporation and private Ofer group companies injected capital.

State of the evidence

Documented

A report commissioned by the Israeli maritime officers' union accused Zim of entering into long-term lease agreements at above-market rates with private companies linked to Idan Ofer, claiming that more than one billion dollars in rent had been paid to related parties and that these transactions had contributed to Zim's difficulties.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Idan Ofer and entities linked to Israel Corporation brought defamation proceedings concerning the documentary "The Shakshuka System", which examined relationships between the Ofer family, privatisations and Israeli public authorities. The litigation prompted mobilisation around freedom of expression and the potential chilling effect of costly lawsuits against journalists and documentary makers.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Personally implicated