Environment and Climate in the Middle East

news, conferences, policy discussions and academic publications on environmental issues and climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean

Environment and Climate in the Middle East

Archives for June, 2017

Ending the sewage—Israel and PA combine efforts to save Kidron Valley – YNET

After decades of foot dragging, it appears that a solution for one of the biggest pollution hazards in Israel, the Kidron Valley, has been found, as a combined initiative with the Palestinian Authority may restore the valley to its natural, non-polluted beauty. Amir Ben-David|Published: 09.06.17 Over the years, huge amounts of raw sewage from southeast […]

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Garbage Dumped in Sea Off Lebanese Coast Sparks Outrage – Naharnet

A “mountain of garbage” dumped at sea off Beirut under a deal between the government and a company has sparked outrage in Lebanon, two years after mass protests over a waste crisis. For the past 10 days, civil society groups have shared images of trucks carrying rubbish and tipping it into the Mediterranean, a process […]

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Two arrested for ‘emptying sewage tanker next to well’ – Jordan Times

Until May, over 30,000 violations on water mains and resources have been prevented — ministry By Hana Namrouqa – Jun 06,2017 AMMAN — Two people have been arrested in Maan Governorate for emptying a sewage tanker beside a well that supplies water to thousands of people, an official said on Tuesday. The well is located […]

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OECD Slams Israel for Slacking on Environmental Legislation Vows – Haaretz

Israel has failed to pass green licensing law for factories, which it promised to enact after joining organization in 2010 Zafrir Rinat Jun 15, 2017 The OECD has slammed Israel for not meeting its commitments to advance environmental regulation as it promised after joining the organization in 2010. Specifically, Israel has not approved a law […]

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Ramallah facing severe water crisis; Israel to blame, says Water authority – WAFA

RAMALLAH, June 13, 2017 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) Tuesday accused Israel of the new water crisis facing Ramallah and its environs, saying failure to repair a damaged water pipeline has exacerbated an already existing problem. The PWA said in a statement that a water pipeline near al-Jeep, southwest of Ramallah, that supplies […]

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How low can you go: Sea of Galilee lowest in 97 years – YNET

The source of much of Israel’s water supply is at its lowest level since 1920; water level due to drop one more meter by the rainy season, beginning around November. Ahiya Raved|Published: 06.06.17 , 23:34 The Sea of Galilee’s water level was recorded last May as the lowest it has been in almost a century, […]

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Aoun Chairs Meeting on Israel Theft of Lebanon Water, Says Country Won’t Bow to Pressures – Naharnet

President Michel Aoun chaired a meeting of a committee tasked with addressing solutions to Israel’s theft of Lebanon’s water resources, the National News Agency reported on Tuesday. The Baabda Palace meeting was held in the presence of Energy and Water Minister Cesar Abi Khalil, NNA said. “Lebanon cannot give up its rights in its territory […]

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Egypt reportedly offers electricity to Gaza in exchange for security coordination – Ma’an

June 13, 2017 BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — As Gazans prepare for the dire humanitarian consequences of an Israeli decision to cut down its electricity supply to the besieged coastal enclave by some 40 percent, Egypt has offered to provide more electricity to Gaza — but only if Hamas cooperates with Egypt in its harsh ‘counterterrorism’ crackdown. […]

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UN says Gaza crisis is ‘internal Palestinian dispute’ on 10th year of Israeli blockade – Ma’an

June 14, 2017 2:27 P.M. BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — After Israel decided to drastically cut electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip at the request at the Palestinian Authority (PA), UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territory Robert Piper characterized the ever-worsening crisis in Gaza as “an internal Palestinian dispute” — as Israel’s military blockade on […]

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Gaza power shortage to worsen as Israel reduces supply – Al Arabiya

AFP, Jerusalem Monday, 12 June 2017 Israel will reduce electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip after funding cuts by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, a minister said Monday, worsening an already severe shortage in the Hamas-run enclave. The security cabinet decided Sunday to reduce the daily amount supplied to Gaza by around 45 minutes, Israeli media […]

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Water Drilling Plan in Golan Heights Draws Ire of Israeli Environmentalists – Haaretz

‘If they want water for agriculture they should take it from Golan reservoirs or Sea of Galilee, but not harm springs and streams,’ Israeli green activist says Zafrir Rinat Jun 07 The Water Authority is planning to approve additional groundwater drilling in the northern Golan Heights over the objections of environmentalists, who argue that the […]

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PA official blames Hamas for ‘obstructing’ solution to Gaza electricity crisis – Ma’an / WAFA

June 5, 2017 BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — An official of the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority (PENRA) blamed the ongoing electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip on Hamas, the de facto ruling party in the besieged coastal enclave, in an interview with official Palestinian Authority (PA) news agency Wafa on Monday. Acting PENRA chairman Zafer […]

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Israel removes retaining wall used to stop settlements’ wastewater pollution – Wafa

JENIN, June 6, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities Tuesday notified Palestinian farmers of plans to remove a retaining wall built by Palestinians around a water spring in the village of Barta’a, in Jenin, in order to protect it from wastewater coming from a nearby Israeli settlement, said local sources. Sources told WAFA staff from the […]

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Dead Sea Likely to Recede Back to Lowest Point Ever, Israeli Researchers Warn – Haaretz

With rainfall modest, the sea dropped 16 centimeters last month, compared with an average of between 10 and 12 centimeters, the hydrological service says Zafrir Rinat Jun 06 The Dead Sea has been dropping at a greater pace this year and will likely fall back to its record low of 2011 when it fell 1.5 […]

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Israel’s East Jerusalem Cleanup Won’t Include Areas Beyond Separation Barrier – Haaretz

Some 140,000 Palestinians live in these neighborhoods, where sanitation levels are extremely poor Nir Hasson May 30, 2017 Israel’s plan to improve conditions in East Jerusalem will not include neighborhoods beyond the separation barrier, Jerusalem Affairs and Environmental Protection Minister Zeev Elkin said on Monday – even though sanitation levels in those areas are extremely […]

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Pollution, desertification and women’s rights linked — SIGI – Jordan Times

By JT – Jun 06,2017 Jordan was ranked the 10th most polluted country in the world (among 115 countries ranked) and the second most polluted in the Arab world, according to the Numbeo.com website (File photo) AMMAN — Pollution and desertification have a disproportionate impact on women and children, the Sisterhood is Global Institute (SIGI) […]

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Tax-free wood imports will reduce illegal logging — Agriculture Ministry – Jordan Times

Decision will make illegal logging ‘useless’ as imports would be cheaper, of better quality, official says By Ahmed Bani Mustafa – Jun 06,2017 AMMAN — Work is under way to exempt imported wood from customs duties, in a bid to reduce deforestation, an official said. Stakeholders will be able to import wood, timber and coal […]

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Jerash water networks to be renovated by end of year – Jordan Times

Project seeks to replace deteriorated networks to reduce water loss, improve supply By Hana Namrouqa – Jun 09,2017 AMMAN — Deteriorated water networks in Jerash Governorate will be replaced before the end of this year in a bid to address the increasing pressure and reduce water loss, which stands at around 24 per cent, according […]

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Three projects to improve water supply started in Balqa — officials – Jordan Times

By Hana Namrouqa – Jun 05,2017 AMMAN — Construction on three projects to improve water supply and reduce water loss has begun in Balqa Governorate, where water loss is estimated at 60 per cent, according to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. The three projects target the water network in Balqa, located 35km northwest of […]

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Environmental Peacebuilding Newsletter, June 2017 – Ecopeace

Dear Friends, We are honored to present you with this description of another month filled with activities initiated by or involving EcoPeace: from a US Congress letter to President Trump, and a groundbreaking Israeli State Comptroller Report that confirmed many of our claims, to dozens of tours and presentations that brought EcoPeace’s work to the […]

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