Friends of the Earth Middle East The following are short briefs that describe several cross border environment and or water “Pollution Havens” that are being “Held Hostage” to the conflict and need urgent solutions, lest they become acute public health issues in the near future. For links to each see http://foeme.org/www/?module=projects&record_id=233 Environment Held Hostage – […]

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‘There is no room left for optimism with regard to future yields,’ note researchers, whose numbers show fishermen are emptying the sea without leaving a younger generation of fish to reproduce. By Zafrir Rinat | Jul. 14, 2014 A variety of fish stocks across the Mediterranean Sea are being rapidly depleted due to overfishing. If […]

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3 articles The well is the way to go for Lebanon water crisis Wondering why the taps are running dry? ‘This is Lebanon’ ‘If you love me, save me some water,’ conservation drive says The well is the way to go for Lebanon water crisis Rayane Abou Jaoude| The Daily Star BEIRUT: Lebanon has ruled […]

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by Alejandro Litovsky | Jul 20, 2014 The proclamation of a new Cold War, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, turned out to be alarmist and premature. However, it reflected the anxiety of today’s decision makers in the face of a crumbling global order. With emerging economies far from committed to established norms in international relations, […]

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HAARETZ The 2.2 billion plastic bags Israelis use every year take centuries to degrade; Economy Ministry opposes bill. By Zafrir Rinat, Ora Coren and Avi Bar-Eli | Jul. 15, 2014 The coalition will support a bill banning stores from giving out free plastic bags, in an effort to minimize the environmental damage caused by the […]

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by SHARON UDASIN 07/13/2014 Leviathan, located about 130 kilometers west of Haifa, expected to come online in 2017; reservoir’s stakeholders reviewing export options. The Leviathan reservoir likely contains 16 percent more natural gas than previously estimated, the basin’s stakeholders reported to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on Sunday. A recent assessment conducted by international oil […]

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18/7/2014 In a move to diversify its energy package Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) launched its first pilot solar power project this past June in Awali, in the south of Bahrain. Together with the National Oil and Gas Authority, the Electricity and Water Authority, and the University of Bahrain, Bapco wants to improve the generation of […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 07/13/2014 Cleaning was stalled due to the Water Authority commissioner’s refusal to allow the discharge of purified Kishon water back into the river. Cleaning operations at the Kishon River have recommenced, after a dispute between the Environmental Protection Ministry and Water Authority had stalled the project’s progress. Two weeks ago, the ongoing […]

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by JT | Jul 08, 2014 AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan has announced a new initiative to help build peace and security in the Arab world through regional cooperation on water conservation and management. The prince will assume the chairmanship of the High Level Forum for the Blue Peace Middle East plan, according to a […]

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Owners of Mediterranean gas field considering $30 billion export deal with British energy company. Reuters 06.29.14 The partners in Israel’s giant Leviathan natural gas field said they had signed a preliminary agreement with British oil and gas company BG Group to negotiate a deal to export gas to BG’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 07/01/2014 ​ Chief foresters from Turkey, Israel and the United States agree on ecological cooperation going forward. Chief foresters from Turkey, Israel and the United States agreed on ecological cooperation going forward at a convention in Rome that concluded in recent days, according to Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael- Jewish National Fund. The foresters […]

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BEIRUT: The European Union and the Agriculture Ministry Monday announced a 1.959 million euro ($2.6 million) EU grant in support of reforestation efforts in Lebanon, especially in those areas most affected by desertification and deforestation. “As a direct result of these forestry actions, 1240 dunums … will be planted throughout the country, and will benefit […]

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Maggie Fick and Shadi Bushra, Cairo – Reuters Saturday, 5 July 2014 In the northwest corner of the Nile Delta, Ibrahim Sharaf Al-Dein fires up his diesel-powered pump next to a murky canal only to watch it spew out a yellowish froth. For the past 15 years, antiquated irrigation systems and a government conservation drive […]

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4 articles U.S. signs water MOU as Moqbel warns of crisis Germany funds water treatment for Jeita Spring Ministers to draft action plan for water crisis Water crisis plan deemed unrealistic U.S. signs water MOU as Moqbel warns of crisis BEIRUT: The United States Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four regional water establishments […]

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3 articles ‘Ministry revamping, drilling wells in south to meet rising water demand’ Farmers should seal illegal agricultural wells by year end — Water Ministry ‘Projected pipeline to convey water from King Abdullah Canal to Irbid’ ‘Ministry revamping, drilling wells in south to meet rising water demand’ by Hana Namrouqa | Jul 12, 2014 AMMAN […]

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by Emily Harris July 03, 2014 The city of Jericho sits in the hot, flat Jordan Valley down the hill from Jerusalem. Jericho has bragging rights as one of the oldest towns on Earth. But one of its newest homes looks like it might have arrived from outer space. Ahmad Daoud hired a firm of […]

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2 articles Sidon bids ‘good riddance’ to garbage nightmare Machnouk: Sidon project meets international standards – Daily Star Mohammed Zaatari| The Daily Star SIDON, Lebanon: Local residents of Sidon welcomed Tuesday the completion of a yearlong project to transform the city’s notorious “trash mountain” into a modern landfill and, eventually, a public park. “I can’t […]

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by Hana Namrouqa | Jul 05, 2014 AMMAN — The Environment Ministry has rejected a project to establish fish farms in Aqaba due to its negative impact on marine life, according to a senior government official. Environment Minister Taher Shakhshir said the ministry followed up the plan to establish fish farms in the Gulf of […]

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July 6, 2014 As the ongoing tragedy of the Middle East continues to unfold, we at the Arava Institute remain committed to dialogue and cross-border partnerships in order to resolve differences through non-violent means and work together for a more sustainable and peaceful future. As you can see from this month’s blog, our commitment is […]

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This monthly newsletter is issued at a time of continuing tragedies and rising violence on our region. We deplore all forms of violence and mourn together for the so many innocent lives lost. Our response is to pledge to double our efforts yet again in the search for regional peace, justice and sustainability. Conference on […]

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