Studying the Environment of and in a Conflicted Space

Location:
Jerusalem, Israel
Journal Entry:

Studying the environment of Israel is an extremely complex subject because of the many political conflicts involved. I am primarily interested in the agriculture and food production of this region of the world, which is dependent on understanding water availability and the politics regarding water in Israel and Palestine.

The Israel-Palestine conflict is well known, though not well understood, by many. It is a deep, multi-layered conflict that has no right or wrong side. In many of my environmental studies courses in the U.S., my professors just discuss the environmental problems that some places around the world endure. In Israel, when scarcity of water is mentioned, the discussion often focuses on the Palestinians and their use of “Israeli” water.

Israel and Palestine are both extremely dry countries. Israel has three main water sources: the Kinneret in the north (also known as the Sea of Galilee, although it is a fresh water lake); a mountain aquifer and the Gaza coastal aquifer. Much of the rest of the country is arid desert.

Palestine itself is a disputed space. Israel does not recognize Palestine and the Palestinian people. Israel currently occupies Palestine for a variety of reasons and controls the area in many ways.

Pages