Israeli Paz Oil defeats class action
Last week, the Tel Aviv District Court rejected a long-running bid to certify a broad class action targeting Israeli energy group Paz Oil Company Ltd. and other firms operating in the Haifa Bay industrial zone, including chemical and refining businesses.
The proposed suit, brought on behalf of roughly 530,000 residents, sought massive compensation over alleged air pollution, increased illness and loss of autonomy. The court found that petitioners did not present credible scientific or factual proof of abnormal emissions, heightened morbidity, or any causal link to the companies’ activities.
The judgment also rejected the scientific theories advanced, noting they lacked research support and had previously been dismissed. The ruling underscores the need for rigorous evidentiary and scientific scrutiny in complex class actions.
S.Horowitz advised the companies, with the team comprising partners Hagai Doron, Uriel Prinz, Pnina Sheffer Emmanuel, and Adi Shlomo, alongside associate Yaron Dagan.
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In another class action success for the firm, the Tel Aviv District Court denied a motion to certify a class action seeking damages of tens of millions of NIS against Stellantis, a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in the Netherlands, and Samelet Motors, an Israeli vehicle importer and distributor. The ruling ended proceedings that ran for approximately six years.
S. Horowitz acted for Stellantis and Samelet Motors throughout the proceedings, with the team including partners Hagai Doron, Uriel Prinz, Ilan Golod, and associate Almog Gersh.
