Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith and Shahab Hussein on BBC London radio

This month FoEME continued to strengthen connections to faith-based communities by giving presentations featuring our work on the Lower Jordan River in both the Wembley Central Mosque and the Harrow & Wembley Progressive Synagogue in London, United Kingdom.   The events marked the second time that FoEME’s Directors have spoken to the communities, further strengthening the important connections between faith-based communities and efforts to rehabilitate the Lower Jordan River.  To learn more about FoEME’s Faith Based Campaign for the Rehabilitation of the Lower Jordan River click here.

To learn more about this visit please visit FoEME’s event page.  To listen to a special interview featuring Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith from the Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue, and Shahab Hussein, Secretary General of the Wembley Mosque, on BBC London radio about their involvement with Friends of the Earth Middle East, please follow the links: (Part 1) / (Part 2).

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FoEME’s Crossing the Jordan Photography Exhibition was on display this month at the Wasser Berlin Water and Wastewater International Trade Fair and Congress.  The events attracted 28,000 experts and other visitors looking to learn about and share innovative solutions to water challenges.

FoEME Crossing the Jordan Photography Exhibition

The Jordan River exhibition, which was included in a water themed scavenger hunt in the exhibitions hall, drew lots of curiosity and attention from students, teachers and visiting experts alike.

The Jordan River Rehabilitation Project is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the Osprey Foundation.

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SHE EcoPark, Jordan

Walking Trail at SHE EcoPark

The Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark in Jordan witnessed an interesting group this month when more than 70 Syrian and Iraqi youth refugees came to learn about the environment in this area. They were divided into four sub groups so that they could better learn about the Park’s features including grey water, composting, mud building and herb gardening. They joined another group of youth from the IAA school in Amman, who were doing three days of community service and visited the park as part of their learning experience.

Syrian and Iraqi youth refugees

In another significant visit, more than 100 students from a number of important schools in Amman took part in an Environmental Education Day at the SHE Park.  This group was also divided into sub groups and learned about grey water, eco-gardening and mud building. The students went on a biodiversity tour, identifying flora and fauna in the park, while their teachers were presented with the new Solar Tracker System presently being installed in the EcoPark. (Stay tuned for more about the Solar Tracker in the next newsletter!)

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Ashdod Sustainability Conference

This year, FoEME Tel Aviv helped to coordinate the 2nd Annual Ashdod Sustainability Conference in Israel, initiated by the Municipality of Ashdod and Ha’aretz Group.  The conference was held on April 23, 2013, at the Theater of Performing Arts in Ashdod, and brought together elected officials and senior staff, academics, opinion leaders, journalists, environmental activists and professionals from various fields, to promote a public discourse on sustainability and to place the issue of promoting sustainability in Israel on the public agenda.

FoEME’s Israeli Director Gidon Bromberg with His Excellency Saad Abu Hamour

The conference was opened by the new Minister of Environment in Israel, Amir Peretz. FoEME’s Israeli Director, Gidon Bromberg, held an important public discussion at the conference with His Excellency Saad Abu Hamour, Secretary General of the Jordan Valley Authority and Jordanian Head of the Israel Jordan Joint Water Committee.  Read here a translation of an article from Ha’aretz newspaper on the discussion.

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 Neighbors Path Tours in Jordan

FoEME has been leading Neighbors Path tours in almost all our participating Good Water Neighbors communities to more than 25,000 people over the last several years.

members of the Retired Military Association

One of the many groups we had welcomed in Jordan recently consisted of members of the Retired Military Association, who participated in a Neighbor Path tour to the Al Hemma and Tabqet Fahel communities. They were presented with the touristic potential in these communities, heard about the specific problems in both villages, such as open canals and sanitation issues, and about the water economy in Jordan in general. Most importantly, during the tour they were given the opportunity to form a better understanding of the shared nature of the communities’ water resources.  In this way, FoEME’s message of the need for environmental regional cooperation speaks loud and clear.

If you, or a group, are interested in any of our Neighbors Path tours, please contact us at info@foeme.org

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Ecofacilities

A component of FoEME’s Good Water Neighbors project is the building of pilot “Ecofacilities” in schools, or other municipal buildings, to showcase water conservation methods.  Students from the Environmental Science Class at the Beit Yerach High School in the Israeli Jordan Valley recently completed the construction of a Wetland System for Grey Water – purifying water from the school’s teachers’ lounge and sinks to irrigate the outside garden.

Wetland System for Grey Water

The school is located on the exit of the Jordan River flowing south from the Sea of Galilee, near the Alumot Dam, where fresh water stops flowing and wastewater starts flowing down the river towards the Dead Sea. Therefore, the wetland is ever-more relevant in serving as an educational model to demonstrate natural, ecological water treatment methods in a clear and simple way.

A very prominent location in the school was chosen so that on a daily basis everyone who visits the school will encounter the structure, thus raising awareness around this effective water treatment method.  Environmental Science students are looking forward to conducting experiments on the quality of water entering and exiting the wetland and its effect on vegetation.

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Study Tour of Hebron Stream Pollution with Visiting Expert

In the context of our Good Water Neighbors project, FoEME has identified a list of “Priority Projects” that aim to solve cross border water problems.  Removal of Industrial Wastewater and the associated dangerous toxins from the Hebron Stream is one such project. The Hebron Stream originates in the West Bank, becomes the Be’er Sheva Stream, and then the Besor Stream after flowing into Israel, and then again through Gaza to the Mediterranean.

Study Tour of Hebron Stream Pollution with Visiting Expert

FoEME made contact with a tanneries owner and a leading expert on the reduction of pollution from the leather processing industry. We invited him to the region to learn about the situation on the ground and to offer his advice as to how to best address this problem. He toured the Industrial Area, met with key stakeholders, including the Hebron municipality, USAID and Israeli officials, all of whom will need to be involved to solve the issues. Following the tour and meetings, he proposed solutions that we hope will be a breakthrough on this longstanding pollution issue. Click here for press coverage (in Arabic) from Maan News Agency that covered this tour.

The “Good Water Neighbors” project is funded by USAID’s Conflict Management and Mitigation program, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the European Union’s Partnership for Peace Program and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

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Youth “Water Trustees” participate in hazard mapping to protect mutual ground water resources

A hazard mapping project is taking place in FoEME’s ‘Protecting Ground Water’ (PGW) project, using a custom GIS module which was developed for optimum characterization of ground water risks. Local authorities and residents participate in the mapping project and share their knowledge of local environmental challenges.

students attending the hazard mapping project

We are finding synergies between our own ‘Good Water Neighbors’ project and are training local youth to use the GIS module and participate in hazard mapping. The children get a sense of actual environmental ‘doing’ and PGW receives more sources of local information. We believe that involving youth in ‘real life’ environmental work will increase their motivation and participation.

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‘PGW’ Team speaks to women in Wadi Fukin

In the framework of our “Protecting Ground Water” project, FoEME is conducting public events in each community to raise awareness of the importance of protecting groundwater.  One such event was to a group of women from Wadi Fukin, who learned how their actions, even on the household level, can contribute to the protection of our water resources.

from the participants

Material presented included how best to discharge chemical products that are used in the home on a daily basis, how to  integrate compost practices in the home rather than dumping all waste directly into the general garbage bin, and more. We are pleased that the women agreed to make this a high priority in their homes.

The “Protecting Ground Water” project is supported by the European Union’s ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme

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Winners at the 1st Triathlon Event

Always looking for creative ways to further environmental awareness in our region, FoEME held a Triathlon & Duathlon event in our Sharhabil Bin Hassneh Ecopark in Jordan on March 30^th, in partnership with Wild and Free Adventures.

The Triathlon combined open-water swimming, on and off-road cycling and cross-country running, while the Duathlon consisted of a cross-country run, a cycle leg and a second cross-country run (click here to see the route maps).  The weather was good, the water a bit chilly, but the 45 people who participated in the events, received a literal “hands-on” experience of the countryside – some of them beautiful, some of them degraded – precisely meeting our aims to show the progress being made in environmental protection, but also the need to continue.  Beside good sporting and healthy physical exertion, this event was important because it showed how successful ecological tourism can be, and that it is possible to host a sporting event in harmony with nature. Participants also learned about other environmental educational activities offered at the EcoPark, promising to return again even before next year’s 2^nd Triathlon event! Click here for the results of the races, and here for a photo stream of the event.

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WORLD WATER DAY ACTIVITIES

From the Event

In the context of our “Good Water Neighbors” project, FoEME held many activities to celebrate World Water Day, taking advantage of this day to continue to educate and raise awareness about the importance of protecting and conserving our local and regional water resources.

Sixty youth “Water Trustees” from the GWN project’s eight Jordanian communities gathered at the Sharhabil Bin Hassneh Ecopark for a full day of water games and environmental educational activities, including an introduction to the water cycle in nature where they used art to create a model that explains the water cycle process.  Children felt proud to take part in such an important event knowing that it is being celebrated all over the world as well.

Participants doing environmental activities

In Palestine, in coordination with the Ministry of Education office in Bethlehem, FoEME invited 22 schools from the Bethlehem governorate and educational administrators from all Palestinian governorates for an educational tour to the Auja Spring, the Dead Sea and the Lower Jordan River.  The tour showed the environmental degradation of the River, explaining its complex challenges, but also of progress being made

participant from the educational tour to the Auja Spring

towards its rehabilitation, resulting in all educational administrators expressing their support for incorporating environmental issues such as what they learned from that day into their messages to their students. In addition, a contest held for Palestinian youth to write a poem and a short story about the water and environmental challenges facing the village of Battir, culminated in the winners (all participants!) receiving trophies at the end of this water & environment education day in a ceremony held at the Auja Environmental Education Center.

During the Palestinian youth poem and a short story contest

Click on the hyperlinks for a full set of photos of the ceremony, for USAID’s coverage of World Water Day, including FoEME activities and for SIDA’s coverage of World Water Day, featuring FoEME’s Good Water Neighbors project.

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Bazaar at Auja’s Environmental Education EcoCenter

Following the successful Bazaar held in our EcoPark in Jordan last month, this month the Auja Environmental Education Center held its own Bazaar on March 1^st and 2^nd, entitled “Innovations and Opportunities”, and aimed to showcase and support 28 Palestinian women’s

From the Bazaar

centers and their local handicrafts, as well as the Center’s environmental education programs. Under the patronage of the Governor of Jericho who opened the event, the Bazaar included a tour of the EcoCenter, examples of the educational activities offered at the site, Debka dance performances and other entertainment, and “Neighbors Path” tours to the nearby water springs to learn about the local and regional water issues. Over the 2 days, 2,000 people attended this exciting event.

Click here for a beautiful set of photos from the event, and Maan News’ video coverage (in Arabic) that shows the lively atmosphere in Auja during the 2-day Bazaar.

Want to Visit Auja?

Want to visit Auja?!  Come Explore the Jordan Valley with us…

The Auja Environmental Education Center is supported by the Drosos Foundation.

The “Good Water Neighbors” project is funded by USAID’s Conflict Management and Mitigation program, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the European Union’s Partnership for Peace program and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

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Mateh Yehuda Springs conference

Mateh Yehuda Springs conference

The Mate Yehuda Regional Council in Israel contains more than 100 natural springs, emphasizing the critical importance of ground water in this region. The springs present natural, agricultural, cultural, and historical heritage, and also provide tourist attraction points. Nowadays, regulation and care for these springs are divided between different authorities, without any leading organization taking full responsibility.

A variety of professionals from the most relevant Authorities and organizations took part in a conference organized by FoEME on March 21^st, bringing up many dilemmas regarding proper management of the springs. We hope that this conference will fuel the start of a fruitful process, leading to a balanced solution for the regulation of these natural beauties.

The “Protecting Ground Water” project is supported by the European Union’s ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme.

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FoEME in The Hague’s ‘Wings for Water’ Conference

Israeli Director (right) at the Hague’s ‘Wings for Water’ Conference

FoEME’s Israeli Director was invited to participate in the High-Level Meeting of the Global Thematic Consultation on Water in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, in The Hague, Netherlands. The meeting consisted of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Water in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, also called “Wings for Water,” which took place on 21 March, and the celebration of International World Water Day on the theme of water cooperation, which took place on 22 March. It brought together representatives of governments, international organizations, civil society, religious bodies, the private sector and youth.

On page 9 of the conference bulletin, on the theme “water cooperation builds peace,” Lena Salame of UNESCO, reported that the group chose the symbolic action of rehabilitating the Ganges and Jordan Rivers, as they are holy to half of humanity.  See our own short press release on this choice made.

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Water Market Report

Water Market Report

Water markets are among the tools implemented to help sustain environmental flows in basins facing water scarcity issues worldwide. Amélie Joseph, intern at the Tel Aviv FoEME office from July 2012 to January 2013, explored the possibility of such a market for the Jordan River Basin.

The mechanism, inspired by Australian experiences, could contribute to the rehabilitation of the Lower Jordan River, by recovering water for the River from the agricultural sector, based on farmers’ voluntary participation. Read more in the report.

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SAVE THE DATE!  APRIL 23^rd- The 2^nd Ashdod Sustainability Conference

APRIL 23rd- The 2nd Ashdod Sustainability Conference

This year, Friends of the Earth Middle East’s Tel Aviv office is helping to coordinate the 2^nd Annual Ashdod Sustainability conference in Israel, initiated by the Municipality of Ashdod and Ha’aretz.

The conference will bring together elected officials and senior staff, academics, opinion leaders, journalists, environmental activists and professionals from various fields, to promote a public discourse on sustainability and to place the issue of promoting sustainability in Israel on the public agenda.

The conference is free, but requires prior registration.  Space is limited. For more information and registration click here: http://knasim.haaretz.co.il/kenes.asp?rId=136

Click here for a video showing FoEME’s contribution to last year’s conference, where we brought together Israeli Minister of Environmental Protection Mr. Gilad Erdan, and Palestinian Minister of Water Dr. Shaddad Attili, for a public debate on the water challenges facing the two peoples; a write-up in the Jerusalem Post; and an item on the Ministers’ debate in the Israeli Ministry of Environment’s website.

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Gidon Bromberg presenting at the briefing

On February 19, 2013 in a beautiful Jerusalem neighborhood overlooking the Old City Walls, the auditorium where the Red Sea-Dead Sea Conduit briefing took place was filled to the brim. The gathering presented an opportunity to review and respond to the World Bank Red Sea-Dead Sea Conveyance Study Program, ongoing since 2004. For the World Bank’s Study Program site click here. For further background information on the Red Dead Conduct Project, please view the following webpage on FoEME’s website.

Alexander McPhail, Study Program Manager with the World Bank began the briefing with a presentation. The World Bank is currently responsible for providing independent support, acting as a neutral party in the process of developing the Project, mobilizing funding and managing project consultants for the Program. The World Bank has defined the project’s main objectives as (1) saving the Dead Sea from environmental degradation, (2) creating opportunities for more affordable hydro-power and desalination, and (3)promoting a symbol of peaceful cooperation between Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian governments.

During his presentation, McPhail presented three feasible options moving forward: Red Sea to Dead Sea transfer of water, Mediterranean Sea to Dead Sea transfer of water, or the option to utilize a combination of techniques including desalination at both Aqaba and Mediterranean Sea sites coupled with importation of water from Turkey and water recycling and conservation efforts. The World Bank chose the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance as the “Identified Option.” Simply put, this involves transferring seawater from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea Basin. McPhail spoke to the relative ease of developing hydropower, creating potable water through desalination, and infusing desalination brine to “stabilize” Dead Sea water levels if the “Identified Option” is to be used. To date, a full Environmental and Social Action Plan/Resettlement Plan has not been completed. McPhail asserted that studies completed thus far expect environmental hazards to be minimal and that identified environmental risks could be mitigated by “readily available and proven methods and technologies.” Overall, McPhail essentially downplayed the potential severity of environmental damage. Following the World Bank presentation, the audience reviewed poster boards outlining the available options in further qualitative and quantitative detail.

The Public Speaks: A Range of Perspectives

Audience at the briefing

After the break, government representatives, environmental activists, and various citizens took the stand to present their comments and concerns. Israel Water Authority official Doron Markel, head of management and monitoring for the Kinneret, was given a generous time allotment that angered many in the audience. He discussed his adamant opposition to the combination alternative (favored by FoEME). Markel believes only the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea Conveyance options are practicable. Saad Abu Hammour, secretary-general of the Jordan Valley Authority and chairman of Jordan’s Red-Dead steering committee, spoke of the critical need in Jordan for this project to move forward due to the extreme scarcity of water and additional pressures on Jordan given the recent influx of approximately one million refugees from Syria.While a stated goal of the project is to promote a symbol of peacemaking in the region, Hammour’s comments illustrated the nuanced concerns and needs of each individual government involved.

Following Hammour’s statement, water scientist Sarit Caspi Oren from Adam Teva v’Din – Israel Union for Environmental Defense asserted the serious environmental danger that would come from mixing water with the Dead Sea. Quite simply, mixing would alter the water chemistry of the Dead Sea altering the very essence of what makes it the Dead Sea. Sarit explained that eventually this action would kill the Dead Sea and another body of water would stand in its place. FoEME is completely on board with Sarit’s points on the environmental hazard of mixing water with the Dead Sea and the ultimate environmental degradation that would result.

Well Known geologist who lives in Ein Gedi, Eli Raz, stated that the absence of the Jordan River throughout the conversation of implies a distorted worldview. The Dead Sea is a single component of a complex system of rivers and groundwater, most importantly the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. His messages was that the “whole system is dying. If the Dead Sea is to be truly saved, the whole system must be saved along with it”. His statements are welcomed by FoEME as a healthy view that goes to the core of the situation. 

Following a varied group of speakers, FoEME Israeli Director Gidon Bromberg gave a presentation in which he spoke out against the World Bank’s “Identified Option.” Gidon summarized the range of risks associated with the “Identified Option” reiterating that serious reconsideration is needed before launching a pilot program. Gidon discussed FoEME’s support for the combination of alternatives that gives greater flexibility and ability to synchronize with evolving technologies. Furthermore, the combination approach would be easier to fund, as it would not require major upfront investment. Bromberg explained that the combination approach advances the three objectives of the Project without the risks correlated with sea-to-sea conveyance and the detrimental effects on water chemistry from mixing water in the Dead Sea. So too, if we were to move forward with the combination of alternatives only proven technologies would be utilized and a pilot program would not be needed. Gidon explained that all parties should give serious thought to the alternative options available. FoEME stands firmly behind the combination of alternatives option, as it builds on past experiences in the region, achieves defined objectives, has known positive environmental and social benefits, and includes the double benefit of rehabilitating the Jordan River and stabilizing the Dead Sea. For further information on FoEME’s stance at the briefing please see our concise “one-pager” position. For documented press coverage of FoEME’s efforts, please refer to this website page.

Encouragingly, the majority of the non-sponsored public speakers spoke out against the World Bank’s proposed plan. Whether the issue was unfeasibility, lack of concrete plans, or fear of environmental risks, most attendees agreed that the proposed plan will most likely be a waste of money and will not solve the pressing problems at hand. The minority of the public supporting the proposed pilot program were mainly government and/or official representatives and pensioners from Dead Sea Works.Demographically, the hearing was comprised of middle-aged and elderly, mixed with a group of students from Ein Gedi, brought to the hearing by FoEME. 

Looking forward, we must turn to discussions and coalition building. Ideally, new Israeli Members of Parliament would form a special committee to work toward a solution. The public’s role is to help raise awareness of the issue, especially among younger generations, and put pressure on government representatives to prioritize and tackle the issue. Last but not least, take the opportunity to voice your opinion on the Red Sea-Dead Sea Conveyance Study Program by writing to Alexander McPhail at amcphail@worldbank.org. Arabic, English or Hebrew accepted.

This entry was written by Maja Sherman and Eliav Shtull-Trauring FoEME interns at the Tel Aviv office. 

Regional NGO Master Plan for the Lower Jordan River Valley Basin

This Inception Report, issued by Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV) in partnership with CORE Associates (Palestine), MASAR (Jordan) and DHVMED (Israel) on behalf of FoEME and its partners, provides a detailed overview of the project to develop the Regional NGO Master Plan for the Lower Jordan River Valley.

The report includes detailed descriptions on the project’s objectives and outputs, expert team, scope of work, background work to date, data collection, workplan, public consultation process and more.

This publication, as part of the Regional NGO Master Plan (SWIM-JR) Project, is supported by the European Union’s Sustainable Water Integrated Management (SWIM) Programme.

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Cross border Eco-Tourism Tour

Cross Border Eco-Tourism Tour

On February 5 & 6, a cross-border eco-tourism workshop took place within the framework of FoEME’s Good Water Neighbors Project. 25 Palestinians from various communities in which FoEME is active, travelled to the Mate Yehuda Regional Council area and visited various eco-tourism facilities, with the aim of developing an understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by historically agricultural communities trying to develop alternate income opportunities and promoting local resources to offer tourists accommodation, recreational and food services.

Cross Border Eco-Tourism Tour

Among the facilities visited was the Essene Farm ecological health resort, the Kakadu art and design gallery, Nissim Levy’s sculptural gallery, the Shvil Ezim goat farm, dairy and restaurant, Vertigo eco-art village, the Yehudah Mountains farm, Mony Winery and Beit Jamal Monastery. Participants were warmly welcomed by the entrepreneurs at all the different venues and given guidance and inspiration in developing their own such enterprises. A panel was held at which the head of the Tourism Department of the Regional Council, and the head of the Association for Local Tourism Operators provided information on the development of local tourism and the ways in which local government can support and nurture these kind of initiatives. Participants observed that the strength of cooperation was also an important factor in the success of local tourism in Mate Yehuda. And they were amazed at the potential for “making something out of nothing”.

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Cross Border Emek Hefer / West Nablus Reciprocal Study Tour

Cross Border Emek Hefer/ West Nablus Reciprocal Study Tour

On 24^th February, FoEME facilitated a cross border Study Tour to Emek Hefer for a delegation from the Municipality of Nablus, with a focus on waste water treatment practices in the Emek Hefer Regional Council. This was the second in a series of recent exchange visits, the first of which was to the West Nablus WWTP last month. The Deputy Mayor of Emek Hefer welcomed the delegation at the first stop of the tour, Yad Hanna, and along with the plant manager Eyal Amrami, provided information about the plant operations. They highlighted also the challenges they face and the necessity to cooperate with their neighbors in Palestine in tackling these challenges. In addition to this, the participants visited an ecological farm to learn from the experience on how to develop and operate a “green” initiative.

Cross Border Emek Hefer/ West Nablus Reciprocal Study Tour

Thereafter the program continued with a visit to the Tnuvot WWTP where participants received an explanation from the plant manager and FoEME activist / wastewater treatment expert Arnon Goren. At the end of the meeting, a discussion was facilitated about possible areas of cooperation between the two municipalities, most specifically about organizing yet another cross border Study Tour in April.

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Carbon Offsetting and Wetland Protection in our SHE EcoPark, Jordan

Friends of the Earth Middle East together with the CarboWet Foundation of The Netherlands will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 22^nd  2013. The MoU details the cooperation between the two organizations to offer carbon offsetting in the Sharhabil bin Hassneh Eco Park in the Jordan Valley.

SaafConsult BV

The CW/FoEME Carbon Offsetting Mechanism (CW/FoEME.COM) is available for public and private organizations from all countries. The first company that will donate funds to the mechanisms to offset its carbon emissions will be SaafConsult B.V. of The Netherlands. Funds will be used for afforestation and reforestation as well as broader watershed protection. This is a unique opportunity for organizations that take carbon offset seriously, and we invite all to contribute to this work. For more information please contact asultan@foeme.org or carbowet@gmail.com.

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Jordan Valley Bazaar

Support Women Bazaar

On February 16^th, the Good Water Neighbors project held a Bazaar at the Sharhabil bin Hassneh EcoPark in Jordan. The aim of the Bazaar was to showcase the handicrafts created by women of the Jordan Valley, to give them an opportunity to promote their products, and raise awareness of the water and environmental issues by offering tours of the surrounding area. With the weather on our side, approximately 400 people from different sectors of society attended the Bazaar throughout the day.

Support Women Bazaar

FoEME was honored to have Member of Parliament Ms. Fatima Abu Abta open the event, giving warm welcoming words, explaining the obstacles these women face, expressing her understanding of their situation and calling on participants to show their support. The bazaar was successful on all levels; participants enjoyed their time at the EcoPark, families with children learned what the Park has to offer regarding environmental awareness, all the while serving a good cause. A fun Q&A game was played that engaged many of the participants in figuring out the answers to questions about water, the environment, FoEME and the EcoPark.  Click here for a beautiful set of photos of the event and press coverage from the Jordan Times.

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Balkan Forum on Regional Cooperation – Feb 7-9

The Balkan Forum on Regional Collaboration, organized by the Rockefellers Brothers Fund, recognizes that there is now a unique opportunity to create a new narrative for the Balkans, given the aspiration of Western Balkan countries to join the European Union, and the many people and institutions in the region that are committed to fostering economic development through regional collaboration. The Forum reflects the vision and desire of citizens of the region for economic progress and regional collaboration.

From the Forum

Over 50 leaders from the Balkans participated in this year’s Forum as well as several representatives of other regional models. FoEME Israeli Director was invited to share experiences of our environmental peacemaking work, our “Good Water Neighbors” project and in general, our “top-down” and “bottom up” model.  Participants were very interested, citing that this could indeed be relevant to the Balkans.  FoEME will continue to share its experience in other conflict zones around the world.

The “Good Water Neighbors” project is funded by USAID’s Conflict Management and Mitigation program, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the European Union’s Partnership for Peace program and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

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Auja EcoCenter

2012 Guidelines for Water Reuse

FoEME is proud to report that this month the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency released its 2012 Guidelines for Water Reuse, highlighting global best practices and featuring FoEME’s community-led Water Reuse Projects at our Auja EcoCenter. (Appendix E-88 / page 602)

The Auja Center’s model greywater reuse system treats greywater generated by the guest house and center’s kitchen and bathroom sinks and showers for reuse in irrigating trees in the center’s grounds.  The model system is one of the center’s learning stations which educate the thousands of visitors to the center about domestic and agricultural water saving techniques.

Ms. Margareta Alstrom, Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations along with Eng. Nader Al Khatib, FoEME’s Palestinian Director

Also this month, the Auja EcoCenter was honored to receive a special guest; Ms. Margareta Alstrom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Disaster Reduction, who came to learn about the first seismic monitoring station in the West Bank, installed at the Auja EcoCenter.  Looking out from the Center’s rooftop overview, she also received explanations about the degradation of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River, FoEME’s rehabilitation efforts, and the potential benefits of regional cooperation.

Very pleased with the visit, she said that the establishment of an earthquake observatory center here, and the other environmental activities provided at the center, deserve international attention.  Read press coverage of this visit in this Maan News article and this QudsNet article

The Auja Environmental Education Center is supported by the Drosos Foundation

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FoEME NGO Briefing and World Bank Public Hearings on Red Dead Canal  

An Interview with Eng. Munqeth Mehyar, FoEME’s Jordanian Director

As reported in last month’s newsletter, FoEME is in disagreement with the Draft Feasibility Report of the World Bank’s study on the ‘Red Dead Canal’. FoEME believes that the Feasibility Report’s conclusions are inconsistent with the findings of its own studies.  The Environmental and Social Assessment Study, as well as the Study of Alternatives, both under the auspices of the World Bank, clearly point to huge environmental and economic risks that need to be addressed.  To this end, FoEME held an NGO briefing in Tel Aviv for media and other internationals to explain our position in detail.

FoEME also attended the Public Hearings held by the World Bank in the cities of Amman, Jerusalem and Ramallah, to make sure our concerns were heard loud and clear.  Our most recent position paper on the issue explains precisely where the World Bank conclusion discrepancies lie, where the risks are clearly stated in their own reports, and most importantly, that there IS AN ALTERNATIVE to the “Red Dead Canal” project– one that meets all the objectives of the proposed Red Dead project, but has no associated environmental or social risks.  Read our report!

Press articles, including the Washington Post, Forbes Israel, the Jerusalem Post, Haaretz, and more, on our Red Dead Conduit / press coverage page.

FoEME concerns related to the Red Dead Conduit are supported by the Green Environment Fund

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FoEME hosted a delegation from the University of California’s Center for Hydrologic Modeling, headed by Prof. Famiglietti, and conducted several events:

From the Seminar

Together with The Porter School of Environment Studies in Tel Aviv University, a Seminar for professionals was held entitled “Water Storage Changes and Groundwater Depletion in the Middle East from the GRACE Satellite Mission“. Prof. Famiglietti demonstrated how these tools can be used to document water storage losses and groundwater depletion in the Tigris-Euphrates-Western, Iran region and the Arabian Peninsula. The potential for utilizing these satellite observations in Middle Eastern water management, and more specifically, the potential to Israel, Jordan & Palestine, was discussed with 25 academics, government officers and private consultants. Prior to his presentation, Dr. Youval Arbel presented the “Protecting Ground Water” project, its concept, methodologies and first outputs.  Also, Prof. Pinhas Alpert, head of the Porter School of Environment Studies, led a panel which addressed the question “Is there a Water Crisis, or a Water Management Crisis?” Both panelists, Gidon Bromberg, FoEME Israeli Director, and Prof. Famiglietti, agreed that there is a combination; climate change and water scarcity are factors, but the main reason for water shortages in most places on Earth is the inefficient and unsustainable use of water.

Last Call at the Oaisis

FoEME also held three screenings of the film “Last Call at the Oasis“, at the Tel Aviv University in Israel, at the Al Quds University in Palestine, and at the Royal Cultural Center in Amman, Jordan. Last Call at the Oasis is a new film by the same producers of the famous Al Gor movie on climate change “An Inconvenient Truth”, with this film being about the worldwide water crisis. The film highlights the work of Prof. Famiglietti from the University of California, with the last 15 minutes of the film focusing on the Jordan River and the water crises in the Middle East.

The “Protecting Ground Water” project is supported by the European Union’s ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme.

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The Top 100 NGO’s 2013

FoEME Makes the Top 100 NGOs List!

FoEME is honored to have been rated as one of the Top 100 NGOs in the world by The Global Journal for 2013! The Global Journal Top 100 NGOs list is the first comprehensive ranking of organizations operating within the non-profit world.

This year, they considered a pool of approximately 450 NGOs based on three key criteria: impact, innovation, and sustainability. The 2013 list of Top 100 NGOs features organizations from 27 countries that work across a range of sectors.

FoEME received the highest ranking of NGOs based in the Middle East!

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Better Dead than Red

The World Bank recently concluded their Feasibility Study regarding the Red Dead Conduit – and have now publicized Public Hearings to be held in Jordan, Israel and Palestine.

The Red Dead Map

Of great interest to FoEME is the Study of Alternatives. The World Bank Study of Alternatives have stated for the first time what FoEME has been advocating for over a decade – that the Lower Jordan River can be rehabilitated, the Dead Sea stabilized, and sufficient water made available to our respective publics without the risk of undertaking an experiment that constitutes ‘playing God’ by mixing two seas, likely leading to likely irreversible damage to the environment.

Read press coverage on the issue with FoEME’s comments, on our Red Dead / press coverage page

FoEME concerns related to the Red Dead Conduit are supported by the Green Environment Fund.

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5 Cross Border Youth Neighbor’s Visits in one month!

Youth Water Trustees meet

On two weekends in January, FoEME’s “ Good Water Neighbors ” project held 5 cross border neighbor’s visits, where over 110 Youth “Water Trustees” from Jordan, Israel and Palestine met together in different locations, paired according to the project’s partnering communities.

Water Trustees get to know each other

The visits spanned 2 days, packed with a variety of activities such as ‘ice-breakers’ & social games, community presentations, and field trips that combined both education and learning with fun – all camps reported on active and lively atmospheres. Participants learned a lot about their neighbors, their communities’ environmental challenges, and more. It was encouraging to see how in such a short period of time, the youth overcame barriers of language and culture.

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Cross Border Study Tours – Jenin / Gilboa and Emek Hefer / Tulkarem

Good Water Neighbors Study Tours

This month, the “ Good Water Neighbors ” project organized two Study Tours for two sets of partnering communities; Jenin & Gilboa, and Emek Hefer & Tulkarem.

In Jenin and Gilboa, participants learned about the current environmental and wastewater challenges facing both communities, and discussed recent efforts in developing cross border wastewater management for the benefit of both communities. The group, consisting of municipal representatives and the city’s engineer as well as both Israeli and Palestinian community residents, also examined the best possible scenarios for reusing wastewater including providing farmers with treated effluents.

The delegation visits water treatment plants

The second tour included representatives of the Emek Hefer Regional Council visiting the (currently under construction) West-Nablus Waste Water Treatment Plant, as well as the office and facilities of the solid waste management directorate for the Tulkarem Governorate. This study tour was attended by the Mayor of Emek Hefer Regional Council and his deputy, as well as other members of the council and community representatives. Waste-management and its impact on the Zomer stream, which then flows into Israel as the Alexander stream, was the focus of the day. The delegation was warmly welcomed by its hosts, and impressed by the high level of professionalism and dedication being demonstrated in the management of both solid and liquid waste. It was encouraging to observe the deep understanding by all parties of the trans-boundary nature of our shared environmental resources. A reciprocal visit to Emek Hefer is being planned.

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Save the Date! – February 16th

Come support the women of the Jordan Valley!

All are invited to SUPPORT THE WOMEN OF THE JORDAN VALLEY!  FoEME is organizing a craft Bazaar to support the women of our 8 Good Water Neighbors communities in Jordan, on Saturday the 16^th of February.  The baazar will showcase the many different handmade crafts that the talented women of the Jordanian Jordan Valley are creating.  They include jewelry, soaps and lotions, baked goods, preserves and much more.

The event will be held at FoEME’s Sharhabil bin Hassneh EcoPark, Jordan.  Make it a full day of fun for you and your family!   Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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Walk for Battir!

Participants hike 5km to help protect the landscape of Battir

To support the people of Battir in the protection of the beautiful landscape made up the ancient agricultural terraces, FoEME organized a “Walk for Battir!” event, and invited the Israeli public to support the effort.

Participants hiked 5 km. from the city of Jerusalem, along the ‘Refaim’ stream, to the village of Battir, and received a warm welcome from the local residents. The group then heard detailed explanations about the potential damage the Separation Barrier could have on this unique cultural heritage site. The best way to grasp the uniqueness of Battir is to visit!  Contact us if you’re interested.

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Sharhabil bin Hassneh EcoPark Visitors

Students plant trees at the Sharhabil bin Hassneh EcoPark

Students from the Westmont University visited the Sharhabil bin Hassneh EcoPark this past month, leaving their ecological mark by planting more than 60 trees at the site. They also learned about the water situation in the Middle East, and how FoEME works to advance cross border environmental objectives.To finish off the visit on a wet note, they went on a 3 hour hike and tour around the adjacent Ziglab Dam. Sounds good? We can organize a similar visit for your group too! Contact us via the park’s website .

Click here for press coverage related to FoEME’s Good Water Neighbors project and activities.

The “ Good Water Neighbors ” project is funded by USAID’s Conflict Management and Mitigation program, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the European Union’s Partnership for Peace program and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

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Jordan River Epiphany celebrations

Jordan River Rehabilitation Project Team joins pilgrims for Epiphany Celebration

This month FoEME’s Jordan River Rehabilitation Project Team joined pilgrims on the banks of the Lower Jordan River to celebrate the Eastern Orthodox Christian holiday of Epiphany. Thousands of Greek Orthodox Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox pilgrims joined a procession to the Kaser el Yehud baptism site near Jericho from January 18-19 to commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.

Friends of the Earth Middle East staff were on hand to highlight the need to rehabilitate the river and the huge potential that the river’s rehabilitation has for the region’s tourism and pilgrimage sector. FoEME’s recently conducted Economic Benefits Study of the Lower Jordan River shows that the rehabilitation of the Lower Jordan River – while costly – has net positive economic benefits for the region.

For more information please read our Epiphany Day press release . For recent press coverage of FoEME’s Jordan River work including recent articles from National Geographic News Watch and the Jerusalem Post, and a video on Palestinian TV , please visit our Jordan River press page .

FoEME’s Jordan River Rehabilitation Project is supported by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the Global Nature Fund / Ursula Merz Foundation, and the Osprey Foundation.

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Auja Environmental Education Center

Visitors and events continue at full pace in our EcoCenter in Auja. A select few examples include:

Three ’winter camps‘ for Palestinian youth took place in January for groups of youth, boys and girls, that had them learning how to build with mud bricks, reuse old tires, reuse bottles, and of course, a visit to the Auja spring with a clean-up activity to reinforce the importance of clean water sources.

Palestinian youth learn new skills at Winter Camp

Dutch students and Representative Office staff visit the EcoCenter

Staff from the Dutch Representative Office in Ramallah together with a foreign delegation from Dutch Universities visited the EcoCenter this month. FoEME arranged for them to meet many professors and teachers from leading Universities in Palestine. Following a presentation about FoEME’s environmental education program at the Center, they explored possible partnerships and synergies between the Universities. They visited the Auja spring, and ended the day with lunch on the roof!

Students embark on a Full Moon Hike

And lastly, a group of students from Westmont College joined one of Auja’s specialties: A Full Moon Night Hike! Beginning at 19:00, the group walked for 4 hours in the valley’s fields, learning about its water challenges, local farming practices, and indigenous plants and animals that inhabit the Jordan Valley. The night continued with a rest, sitting around the fire with the local Bedouins, learning songs and a debka dance.

The Auja Environmental Education Center is supported by the Drosos Foundation.

]]> http://foeme.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/3760/feed/ 0 friendsoftheearthmiddleeast The Top 100 NGO's 2013 The Red Dead Map Youth Water Trustees meet Water Trustees get to know each other Good Water Neighbors Study Tours The delegation visits water treatment plants Come support the women of the Jordan Valley! Participants hike 5km to help protect the landscape of Battir Students plant trees at the Sharhabil bin Hassneh EcoPark Jordan River Rehabilitation Project Team joins pilgrims for Epiphany Celebration Palestinian youth learn new skills at Winter Camp Dutch students and Representative Office staff visit the EcoCenter Students embark on a Full Moon Hike http://foeme.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/water-treaties/ http://foeme.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/water-treaties/#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:06:33 +0000 friendsoftheearthmiddleeast http://foeme.wordpress.com/?p=3719 ]]> Last week’s blog outlined the influence water can have on local security situations, specifically its role in conflicts in the Middle East. As the water wars rationale implies, these so-called water wars are based on water scarcity, competitive use and the countries being enemies due to a wider conflict. Picking up arms is not the only way to resolve such an issue however, as will be outlined in this post focusing on water treaties.

Due to commonalities between the countries, Friends of the Earth Middle East have a special relationship with Indian and Pakistani environmentalists, as contact with Ahmad Rafay Alam and the Good Water Neighbors program demonstrate. There are more similarities in circumstances between Jordan and Israel, and Pakistan and India than one might think at first glance. Focusing on the environmental similarities, one will find that both the Jordan River and Indus basins have a semi-arid climate. Pakistan is equally reliant on the river as a water source, both on the municipal and agricultural level,[1] as is Jordan. The Indus and Jordan River do not only have in common that their flow is deteriorating, but also that water treaties were designed to control their output. The similar political situation, and the way that since the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960[2] no war has included any dispute over the river, makes it a treaty that can be looked upon as an example and for inspiration.

NSU Jordan River Basin Map

In 1994, Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty, commonly known as the Arava/Araba Treaty. Article 6 of the Treaty refers to water management and stipulates the amounts of water Jordan and Israel are allowed to diverge from the Yarmouk and Jordan Rivers. Additionally, it stipulates that any endeavors undertaken regarding water development or management, must ensure that the resources of the other party are not affected (6.2). Clause 6.3 acknowledges that the current water resources are not enough, enforcing cooperation between the two nations when it comes to finding new resources. Collaboration is also attempted to be achieved through the founding of the Joint Water Committee (6.1.3), which has been a very positive development of the treaty.

However, the increasing demand for water due to urbanization, industrialization, increasing populations, consumerism and irrigated agriculture; and the political nature of water use in the region, topped off by the ensuing global environmental and political difficulties make the 1994 water treaty a fragile one. Many of the water clause’s sub-articles have been implemented since the signing, yet not all. Some infrastructure which was meant to be built within years of the signing of the treaty, still hasn’t not come into place. These infrastructural deficits add to the risk that the quantity of the Jordan River water flow will decrease. This in turn could increase the chance of renewed dispute over the basin erupting, due to the fact that “almost 90% of all conflictive events relate to quantity or infrastructure.”[3]

Friends of the Earth Middle East, founded in the same year as the Arava Treaty was signed, attempts to contribute to the maintenance of the current peaceful situation between Jordan and Israel. It does so through its strategy of ‘Environmental Peacemaking’, by promoting cross-border cooperation and building trust through its programs and initiatives. Different programs contribute to this effort in unique ways. For example, the Jordan River Rehabilitation program addresses the diminishing flows of the river that could lead, not only to its disappearance and consequent ecological and socio-economic troubles, but also to an exacerbation of tensions between the signatories of the Arava Treaty. The Good Water Neighbors program attempts to solidify grassroots involvement in cross-border cooperation. This program shows that a mutual effort to build trust and understanding can lead to common efforts in problem solving and peace building. If this is possible on a local community level in situations of disagreement, then surely that provides hope for such successes on a larger scale.

This post was written by Amman based intern Lidwien Wijchers, who is pursuing her Master’s degree in the Human Geography specialization of Conflict, Territories, and Identities.

Yasser Arafat’s Fatah’s first armed wing commando operation was carried out during the night of December 31^st 1964 against the Israeli National Water Career installations.⁴ Several armed attacks between Israel and Syria followed the diversion of the Jordan River earlier in the 1950s when Syria threatened to contaminate the Israeli owned Lake Tiberias.⁵ Since then, tensions are still perceptible in the region between the different countries sharing water bodies. Israeli policies, as well as the controversial use of local water resources by Jewish settlements, led to many disputes between Israelis and Palestinians. The dispute between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, mainly over the exploitation of groundwater, cannot be separated from other geopolitical rivalries such as the Israeli-Lebanon dispute over the Hasbani waters.

Since 2000,⁶ Lebanon has twice attempted to unilaterally change the status quo of water usage in the Hasbani River, provoking Israeli condemnation. Tensions reached another level in 2002, when Lebanon initiated a plan to divert water from the Wazzani River (contributing to approximately ¼ of the River Jordan’s water). Israeli reaction was clear: it was “a pretext for war.”⁷

The Jordan River, as seen in Bakoura.

Though tensions related to water issues in the region are perceptible, it is not as obvious that further water scarcity may lead to an intensification of conflict. Friends of the Earth Middle East argues that water can actually be a tool for cooperation; and could bring peace rather than war. Indeed, studies report that throughout history water has never been the sole reason for a conflict to occur; it has always been part of an overall context of fear and misunderstanding. However, once these issues were overtaken, there have been many communities who have reached a peaceful resolution of water conflicts through transboundary treaties.

In this context, Friends of the Earth in the Middle East made the choice to strengthen trust, dialogue and cooperative projects between the riparian countries of the Jordan River. The Good Water Neighbors (GWN) project, established in 2001, has known increasing success to this day, gathering cross-border communities from Jordan, Israel and Palestine based on their common dependence on shared water resources in order to build further dialogue and cooperation. Through the years, this room for dialogue allowed the communities to build trust and common understanding, leading to resolution of the problems and peace building, in a context of governmental limited cooperation.

The concept of “Community of Interest” has been further developed in several FoEME publications, highlighting the shared interests the Jordan riparians would have in cooperating. Tourism, industry, agriculture, as well as the general well being of the population could be improved on all sides through cooperation over shared waters. Especially seeing as new environmental challenges threatening the region are likely to stress the shared interest of the riparian countries. It is desirable to stimulate cooperation and discussions regarding adaptation of solutions to face pollution, climate change, water scarcity, and salinization. It is in the interest of all users of these common resources to share data, technological means and common strategic plans to preserve the future of these resources; their future.

The Dead Sea….slowly receeding

As an example, tourism development around the Dead Sea today calls for a cooperation of the riparian countries in order to find a solution of replenishment. The on-going implementation of the first ever NGO Regional Master Plan for the rehabilitation of the Lower Jordan River, coordinated by FoEME, would be an important step towards cooperation and peace-building in the region.

This blog was written by research intern Marie Pochon, who is based in FoEME’s Bethlehem office.

 1 Of Water and wars, Interview with Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Senior Vice-President, World Bank, in Frontline, volume 16 – issue 9, April 24-May 07, 1999 http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl1609/16090890.htm

2 Igor Shiklomanov, « World Fresh Water Resources » in Peter Gleick (dir.), Water in Crisis: A Guide to the World’s Fresh Water Resources, New York, Oxford University Press, 1993, p. 13.

3 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2006). Human Development Report 2006, Beyond scarcity: power, poverty, and the global water crisis

4 L’enjeu politique du contrôle de l’eau au Moyen Orient, P. François Boëdec, L’eau dans les Relations Internationales, Défense et stratégie N°27, 3rd trimester 2009, published online by the Observatoire Européen de Sécurité, p.16

5 Hillel Frisch, Water and Israel’s national security, efficient use of Limited Water Resources: Making Israel a Model state, 9, BESA 2001

6 And Israel’s withdrawal from south Lebanon in May.

7 Reut Snir, Water in the Middle East, National Environmental Trust

As a research intern, I have been in charge of exploring water market options for the agricultural sector in Israel: through this economic tool that allows for water transactions between farmers, is it possible to recover freshwater for the environment, particularly for the Jordan River? I have dug into literature on overseas experiences, chiefly Australia, to gather a better understanding of water market mechanisms and their local consequences: a deep and rather technical subject that combines economic, agricultural, social and environmental aspects.  The results of this inter-disciplinary research effort will be available via FoEME’s website in the coming weeks – so mark your calendars!

Beyond that research topic, I greatly appreciated sharing the tremendous life of the FoEME team:  from project planning discussions to reporting, from a large water conference to youth activities, with a nice topping of laughs and sweet treats. Where else would I have discussed solar oven building with an eco-park coordinator, met with a Pakistani lawyer, receive French farmers eager to learn more about Israel and Palestine, learn the hard way that embassies are not so easy to reach by phone, walk in rivers, get to photograph a singer I admire, and witness people dancing to protest against a wall?

Where I discovered Israel was actually not all dry…

Would I keep only a few words, it would be those of official state representatives from Israel, Palestine and Jordan, at the Good Water Neighbors conference in September, stating together how exceptional and important it was for them to meet with their counterparts in Jericho, despite the administrative difficulties some faced to come. Would I keep only one moment, it would be a song in Hebrew rising atop the beautiful terraces in the Palestinian village of Battir, Israeli and Palestinians holding their breaths and clapping their hands together. I discovered in Israel the deep complexity of the Middle East challenges. Yet more importantly, with FoEME I witnessed people building bridges, not only talking of peace but taking real steps on the ground to protect the environment and the people, aiming to create a better future.

My journey in Israel does not end here: for a few months I will continue to explore the area, getting my hands muddy in organic farms and capturing smiles and lights with my camera. Contributing to this blog was a real pleasure, and helped me reinforce my written English. Now is the time to get more into Hebrew speech and share my rich experience with FoEME with locals…

This blog was written by Amélie Joseph, intern at the Tel Aviv office.

After finishing my master’s degree in Physical Geography and Geoinformatics I was leaving Slovakia aiming to be active in implementing my academic knowledge and to learn more about problems with water management, pollution and treatment in the Middle East.

Celebrating the terraced landscapes in Battir

I began working with FoEME in October 2012, jumping on “the running train“of the Protecting Ground Water Project (PGW). This project has a trans-border character. The project team consists of communities in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and the Spanish province Malaga and aims to enhance promotion of sustainable groundwater resources solutions in the Mediterranean basin. Municipalities work together to advance their skills in alleviating pollution of the most valuable natural source in the Middle East – water.

Malek Abulfailat, the Palestinian Project Coordinator, introduced me to various background issues related to the project. My first step was to assist with the preparations of the Study Tour in cooperation with project partners from Spain.

PGW Study Tour, Emek Hefer

During my time in FoEME I was witness of efforts to save amazing heritage in the Palestinian village of Battir based on unique common history and picturesque landscapes of its terrace fields proposed to be included UNESCO’s World Heritage List. I enjoyed hospitality of people in the Jordan valley at the Auja Ecocenter while supporting eco-tourism activities. I helped organize GIS Day 2012, a global event where Palestine took part for the first time ever. Community workers had the opportunity to join this global movement and learn more about possibilities of GIS (Geographical Information Systems) application within the project but also in everyday life.

Orga team of GIS Day 2012, Auja Eco-Center

What has this internship brought me? Interning with FoEME offers you a great opportunity to be directly involved in many events and activities, to learn about environmental issues, struggles and possible conflict resolutions, not the least to discover the traditions and cultures in the region. To work with FoEME was an inspiring professional and cultural experience where I made great friendships. Also I understood that eco-peace and environmental achievement can be reached only in open dialogue without any prejudices between peoples and borders on the map or in the mind. These are values for the sustainable water future in this region. Thanks to all!

This blog was contributed by FoEME intern Marek Krajčuška, who worked with FoEME on the Protecting Ground Water Project in the Bethlehem office.

]]> http://foeme.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/my-foeme-internshiptime-to-look-back/feed/ 0 friendsoftheearthmiddleeast Celebrating the terraced landscapes in Battir PGW Study Tour, Emek Hefer Orga team of GIS Day 2012, Auja Eco-Center http://foeme.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/op-ed-israel-water-prices/ http://foeme.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/op-ed-israel-water-prices/#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:46:09 +0000 friendsoftheearthmiddleeast http://foeme.wordpress.com/?p=3688 ]]>  

On January 1st, the price of domestic water rose again in Israel. The cost of a cubic meter including sewage treatment is now 9.1 NIS for the first 3.5 cm a month and then 14.64 NIS for the rest.

My neighbor reacted with frustration, “But we are blessed with such a good start to the winter rains. When water is more plentiful shouldn’t prices fall?”

That is the problem – Israeli government policy has created a complete disconnect between supply and demand. The government decided that we should no longer depend on nature but produce water through desalinating sea water. In an area of repeated periods of prolonged drought this indeed makes sense. The question is though, how independent of nature can we be, who benefits and who will pay the costs? The rising price of domestic water is a direct outcome of large scale desalination.

By the end of the year Israel should be desalinating over 300 mcm annually. Current plans are that by 2020, Israel will desalinate 750 mcm with some ministers calling for a billion mcm to be the target. Our domestic water needs are 700 mcm so that while presently we are producing desalinated water to meet half our needs in the future if these plans go forward we can do without the rains. Should we?

Desalination is in fact not at all independent of nature. In fact the process is very harmful to nature. The process is energy intensive – increasing electricity needs by 10 %,  burning more fossil fuels that pollute the air and contribute to climate change (that guess what reduces rainfall). The brine emitted from the plants also pollutes our sea and our beaches.

Who benefits? The concession to build desalination plants is not undertaken by a government authority, but through the private sector in a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement. The same tycoons that control so much of our economy already are the ones that own the desalination plants too. They are building the plants on the promise that the government will purchase all water that they produce for a given price irrespective of anything.

Who pays? We do! The Israeli Water Authority told us just two summers ago in their commercials – ‘save water now but in the future you will not need to as the desalination plants will be operating’. Last summer, with more desalinated water produced there were already next to no commercials. Encouraging water conservation, promoting grey water reuse that could reduce our water bills by half, are no longer in the interests of the Water Authority as the promise made to their friends, the tycoons, is to buy up all the water they produce, even when the Kinneret overflows again as expected this year.

Gidon Bromberg is the Israeli Director of EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East