Hundreds of Israeli Surfers Protested Offshore Gas Development

Nearly 1000 surfers wearing black skull-and-crossbones shirts surfed together on Friday off the shore of Herzliya, a city in central Israel, to protest against offshore gas development. The protestors demonstrated against the intention to construct a rig 9 km from the shore instead of deeper in the sea, a location they claim will pollute nearby shores with industrial byproducts. Participants paddled out and held hands to form what organisers said is the world’s largest surfing circle, demanding that the rig be relocated 120 km into the sea to reduce potential harm. The organizes said they would submit the circle to Guinness World Records for recognition.