Israel Bans Fluoridation of Drinking Water

Taking a major step toward protecting the health of its citizens, the Supreme Court of Israel has ruled that the nation will stop fluoridating its water supplies. When the new law goes into effect, in summer of 2014, no community in Israel will be permitted to fluoridate water. 

On November 12, 2012, Izun Hozer Association for Dissemination of Health Education and Yaacov Gurman petitioned Israel’s highest court demanding that water fluoridation come to a halt due to not only potential health concerns, but also because fluoride provides virtually no benefit. In April 2013, the Minister of Health, Yael German, created a new regulation removing mandatory water fluoridation (NS).

Interestingly, ruling not only puts an end to not just mandatory fluoridation in Israel, but all fluoridation — mandatory or voluntary. Here’s a translation of the court ruling.

In the article, "Israel to Stop Adding Fluoride to Water Supplies in 2014 Due to Health Concerns," Paul Connett, PhD, (Fluoride Action Network (FAN)) writes:

"Zealous fluoridation promoters try to convince the American public that 'everyone drinks fluoridated water.' But the opposite is true. An overwhelming number of countries do not fluoridate, including 97% of the European population. In fact, over half the people in the world drinking fluoridated water live in the US. We are the odd ones out. Fluoridation is an outdated, unscientific, failed public health blunder. What I find remarkable here is that Health Minister German has been able to escape the unscientific belief system on fluoridation that traps so many public health bureaucracies in fluoridated countries."

Among other things, fluoride is linked with decreased thyroid and kidney function, infertility, lowered intelligence, impaired bone strength, heart disease and elevated cancer risk.

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“It is apparent that fluorides have the ability to interfere with the functions of the brain.”

“The possibility has been raised by studies in China that fluoride can lower intellectual abilities.”

“Fluoride is an endocrine disruptor.”

“Several lines of information indicate an effect of fluoride exposure on thyroid function.”

“Sufficient fluoride exposure appears to . . . increase the severity of some types of diabetes.”

“The relationship between fertility and fluoride requires additional study.”

“Further research on a possible effect of fluoride on bladder cancer risk should be conducted.” 

“These changes have a bearing on the possibility that fluorides act to increase the Alzheimer's disease"

Source: National Research Council. (2006). Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards. National Academies Press, Washington D.C.

Learn more:

• Research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals indicates that fluoride ingestion is ineffective at reducing tooth decay and harmful to health. See http://www.FluorideAction.Net/issues/health
• The Fluoride Action Network develops and maintains the world’s most comprehensive online database on fluoride compounds. The information in the database is free and available for anyone seeking to educate themselves. Search ithere.
• 10 facts about fluoride.