The place to begin is Friends of the Earth Middle East, a non-profit, non-governmental, environmental organization promoting sustainable development in Israel, Jordan, and Palestine.
There’s a reason Friends of the Earth’s other name is EcoPeace.
Israel may have a surplus of environmental problems, but unlike the U.S. the vanguard in the movement to protect the environment includes college students belonging to Megama Yoruka, Green Course. Look at their homepage to see how effectively they establish environmental campaigns to augment the power of individuals with the power of large, organized groups.
One of the most effective environmental groups in Israel is the Society for the Protection of Nature. (I can’t get the Israel webpage to open so you’ll have to make do with the American branch.)
The Israel Union for Environmental Defense is one of the premiere legal groups in the country. They have been tireless in battling for country-wide environmental protection.
The Israel/Palestine Research Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) deals with more than just environmental issues, but like Friends of the Earth Middle East (see first entry, above) they are committed to promoting dialogue between erstwhile arch enemies in the embattled Middle East. Be sure to look at their Power Points on water issues.
Check out the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. It’s an Allegheny sponsored semester abroad program. Your financial aid goes with you if you want to study environment and peace issues in the Middle East with Jews, Muslims, and Christians from around the world. Your credits come back as if you were taking classes here.
Prepared by Eric Pallant and Terry Bensel 12/05.