When Israelis go to the polls on January 28th, they will still find a Kishon River so polluted that it caused several deaths and hundreds of Navy divers to be debilitatingly sick in the last few years. They will still find Haifa chemical plants ready to leak toxic ammonia and other poisons, at a moment?s notice. They will still find underground water polluted with toxic chemicals and air pollution levels that are growing intolerable. A new study done by the Ministry of the Environment estimates that 14% of deaths (over 30 yrs. of age) in the Greater Tel-Aviv area can be attributed to air pollution, more than 600 deaths a year. That's more than from terror and war. There are solid waste management problems, Red Sea coral reefs dying, no serious recycling to speak of, and little public awareness of or concern about these problems.
That is why it is so sad that there are only two, almost non-existent, political parties running for the Knesset (parliament) that show any real concern for the situation. They are, Aleh Yarok (the Green Leaf party), whose main planks are the legalization of marijuana and prostitution (and has a slight chance of getting two seats), and the Yerukim (the Greens), with virtually no chance of making it in, according to all the polls. None of the larger parties, Labor, Meretz, Shinui or Likud, have a serious 'pro-environmental' message or candidate likely to win a seat in the Knesset. Meretz, for example, billing itself as the 'social concern' party, had a well-known environmental activist run in its primaries, but that candidate received a dismal mid-20s position. Not too 'realistic' for a party polling only 7-10 seats.
Where are the 'National Camp' and the religious parties? Likud, the National Religious Party, Moledet/National Union, Herut, Shas, United Torah Judaism, and the others don't sufficiently stress environmental policies. It's a shame that the 'nationalist' parties don't seem to care enough about the Land of Israel, and the 'religious' parties forget the mitzvah of lishmore nafshecha meod (health concerns). The situation should be very different; they should be leading the nation in environmental concern. But first a little history, some written, some yet to be...
A main purpose of the Zionist enterprise was to reconnect the Jew to his homeland. For millennia, Jews loved the Land of Israel from afar. Rabbinic writings were full of mystical connections to that far-off place, Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi wrote, in the 12th century, ?I am in the west, but my heart is in the east.?; Hassidic stories about the Ba?al Shem Tov?s desire to go to Eretz Yisrael abound; It is known that the Gaon of Vilna, Rabbi Eliyahu, wanted to come to Israel, too. Many rabbis worked ceaselessly in the late 19th century to awaken that interest among Jews. Much was written in the early 20th century by the early Zionist thinkers about the Land of Israel. They also worked day and night to awaken that dormant love among the masses. And they did. Little by little, they succeeded to re-inflame that ancient love for the Land. With the early aliyot (waves of immigration), Jews returned to Israel, built towns and villages, planted the Land, tended her trees and vines, loved her again as in days of old.
In 1948, when the State of Israel was declared, the gates of mass immigration were flung wide open. Jews poured into Israel from all over the world. New towns were built. Swamps were drained. Factories to provide employment were developed. If the pre-state period was the engagement, independence was the marriage between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. The Land was blossoming, she was happy, her children had returned home.
This continued for years and the nation loved its Land. In 1967, with victory in battle, more of the ancient homeland returned to its owners. Eastern Jerusalem, the Old City, the Kotel (Western Wall), the Temple Mount, Hevron and Ma?arat HaMachpela (the Cave of the Patriarchs), Beit Lechem, birthplace of King David, Shechem and Josef?s tomb - all held fascination for the new-old nation.
Many Jews wanted to re-establish towns and villages in Judea and Samaria (the 1967 liberated Land), just as they had done earlier with Rishon LeTzion, Petach Tikva, and Tel Aviv, and they did. Almost 150 towns were established, with schools, stores, and factories. Hundreds of thousands moved there to live. They loved their beloved Land, Eretz Yisrael.
But with time, something happened. The love affair between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel cooled off. It was a marriage having difficulties. Some of the Jews wanted a divorce. They were willing to share the Land with strangers. Others continued to farm the Land, but overused pesticides and poisoned her. Factories, shopping centers, and highways kept popping up. The Jewish people worked and got wealthier. They bought cars, lots of them, and drove around, instead of using buses and trains like in the past. They also bought a lot - food in cans, things that come in boxes and plastic packages, disposable diapers, computers and all kinds of electronic gadgets that run on disposable batteries. They used things and threw them out in the garbage when finished. Sometimes they just threw things on the ground. They didn?t worry about it afterwards. The city would clean it up. Sometimes the city burned the garbage and sometimes they buried it. Either it became an air pollution problem or a solid waste problem. The marriage was on the rocks. There was little love between them left.
Even the Jews who rushed to Judea and Samaria, who at first, like a chatan (groom), loved the Land with burning enthusiasm, began to settle down to daily life. Their love for her started to cool. They claimed they loved her, but they really had started to use her. Recycling was nowhere to be seen there. Pesticides, water and air pollution, and garbage were becoming problems. But these Jews weren?t in favor of a separation. They weren?t prepared to give her away to strangers. They would fight for their beloved Land.
Some tried to solve the problems, like Green Tech (www.greentech.co.il), the environmental division of the Mofet B'Yehuda Technological and Business Incubator in Kiryat Arba. Green Tech was established to answer the growing global demand for new ecological and environmental technologies. Many hoped that they could find ways to re-awaken the burning love of Eretz Yisrael from their youth. Others remembered Tu BiShvat (Jewish Arbor Day - the New Year for the trees), and how they used to love to plant trees. Now they had to worry about the air and water pollution?s effect on the forests they had planted. Some suggested turning Tu BiShvat into a ?Green Day.?; It was suggested that kindergartens and schools teach about ecology and environmental protection, beside planting trees. Maybe the marriage could be saved. Maybe the Jewish people?s burning love for Eretz Yisrael could be re-ignited.
Now, imagine for a moment...
Youth groups like B?nei Akiva, Ariel, Ezra, and Betar began teaching the True Love of the Land of Israel in all its aspects. They learned not to abandon her to strangers, nor to abuse her through misuse. They, in turn, influenced their elders, who had become complacent in the relationship.
The rabbis began to teach the Torah of the Land of Israel, like it says in Bereshit Rabba, ?There is no Torah like the Torah of the Land of Israel, and there is no wisdom like the wisdom of the Land of Israel.? The Torah of the Land began to spread out and inflame the Jewish people again.
Recycling centers began springing up throughout the Land. Factory owners installed new equipment (scrubbers) to clean the effluents from their smokestacks, and stopped their toxic dumping. Kibbutzim became concerned about pesticides and increasingly grew organic fruits and vegetables. The electric company proposed integrating solar and wind power into the electric generating system, so that they could cut down on fossil fuel usage. People started demanding better public transportation and using it, thus cutting down on auto exhaust emissions. The little children came home from school talking about the 3-Rs (Renew, Reuse, Recycle) and about True Love for the Land of Israel.
The love between the Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael had been re-established, only this time on a firmer footing of mutual respect. The marriage was saved. The children and grandchildren, and all future generations of Jews, could rest comfortably in the knowledge that the Land would be taken care of. A healthy and happy environment would exist for them when they appeared on the scene, in the future. The Jewish people had achieved sustainable development. True love for the Land of Israel had returned.
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Ariel Natan Pasko is an independent analyst & consultant. He has a Master's Degree in International Relations & Policy Analysis. His articles have been published on numerous news/views and think-tank websites, as well as in print newspapers.
(c)2002/5763 Pasko
That is why it is so sad that there are only two, almost non-existent, political parties running for the Knesset (parliament) that show any real concern for the situation. They are, Aleh Yarok (the Green Leaf party), whose main planks are the legalization of marijuana and prostitution (and has a slight chance of getting two seats), and the Yerukim (the Greens), with virtually no chance of making it in, according to all the polls. None of the larger parties, Labor, Meretz, Shinui or Likud, have a serious 'pro-environmental' message or candidate likely to win a seat in the Knesset. Meretz, for example, billing itself as the 'social concern' party, had a well-known environmental activist run in its primaries, but that candidate received a dismal mid-20s position. Not too 'realistic' for a party polling only 7-10 seats.
Where are the 'National Camp' and the religious parties? Likud, the National Religious Party, Moledet/National Union, Herut, Shas, United Torah Judaism, and the others don't sufficiently stress environmental policies. It's a shame that the 'nationalist' parties don't seem to care enough about the Land of Israel, and the 'religious' parties forget the mitzvah of lishmore nafshecha meod (health concerns). The situation should be very different; they should be leading the nation in environmental concern. But first a little history, some written, some yet to be...
A main purpose of the Zionist enterprise was to reconnect the Jew to his homeland. For millennia, Jews loved the Land of Israel from afar. Rabbinic writings were full of mystical connections to that far-off place, Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi wrote, in the 12th century, ?I am in the west, but my heart is in the east.?; Hassidic stories about the Ba?al Shem Tov?s desire to go to Eretz Yisrael abound; It is known that the Gaon of Vilna, Rabbi Eliyahu, wanted to come to Israel, too. Many rabbis worked ceaselessly in the late 19th century to awaken that interest among Jews. Much was written in the early 20th century by the early Zionist thinkers about the Land of Israel. They also worked day and night to awaken that dormant love among the masses. And they did. Little by little, they succeeded to re-inflame that ancient love for the Land. With the early aliyot (waves of immigration), Jews returned to Israel, built towns and villages, planted the Land, tended her trees and vines, loved her again as in days of old.
In 1948, when the State of Israel was declared, the gates of mass immigration were flung wide open. Jews poured into Israel from all over the world. New towns were built. Swamps were drained. Factories to provide employment were developed. If the pre-state period was the engagement, independence was the marriage between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. The Land was blossoming, she was happy, her children had returned home.
This continued for years and the nation loved its Land. In 1967, with victory in battle, more of the ancient homeland returned to its owners. Eastern Jerusalem, the Old City, the Kotel (Western Wall), the Temple Mount, Hevron and Ma?arat HaMachpela (the Cave of the Patriarchs), Beit Lechem, birthplace of King David, Shechem and Josef?s tomb - all held fascination for the new-old nation.
Many Jews wanted to re-establish towns and villages in Judea and Samaria (the 1967 liberated Land), just as they had done earlier with Rishon LeTzion, Petach Tikva, and Tel Aviv, and they did. Almost 150 towns were established, with schools, stores, and factories. Hundreds of thousands moved there to live. They loved their beloved Land, Eretz Yisrael.
But with time, something happened. The love affair between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel cooled off. It was a marriage having difficulties. Some of the Jews wanted a divorce. They were willing to share the Land with strangers. Others continued to farm the Land, but overused pesticides and poisoned her. Factories, shopping centers, and highways kept popping up. The Jewish people worked and got wealthier. They bought cars, lots of them, and drove around, instead of using buses and trains like in the past. They also bought a lot - food in cans, things that come in boxes and plastic packages, disposable diapers, computers and all kinds of electronic gadgets that run on disposable batteries. They used things and threw them out in the garbage when finished. Sometimes they just threw things on the ground. They didn?t worry about it afterwards. The city would clean it up. Sometimes the city burned the garbage and sometimes they buried it. Either it became an air pollution problem or a solid waste problem. The marriage was on the rocks. There was little love between them left.
Even the Jews who rushed to Judea and Samaria, who at first, like a chatan (groom), loved the Land with burning enthusiasm, began to settle down to daily life. Their love for her started to cool. They claimed they loved her, but they really had started to use her. Recycling was nowhere to be seen there. Pesticides, water and air pollution, and garbage were becoming problems. But these Jews weren?t in favor of a separation. They weren?t prepared to give her away to strangers. They would fight for their beloved Land.
Some tried to solve the problems, like Green Tech (www.greentech.co.il), the environmental division of the Mofet B'Yehuda Technological and Business Incubator in Kiryat Arba. Green Tech was established to answer the growing global demand for new ecological and environmental technologies. Many hoped that they could find ways to re-awaken the burning love of Eretz Yisrael from their youth. Others remembered Tu BiShvat (Jewish Arbor Day - the New Year for the trees), and how they used to love to plant trees. Now they had to worry about the air and water pollution?s effect on the forests they had planted. Some suggested turning Tu BiShvat into a ?Green Day.?; It was suggested that kindergartens and schools teach about ecology and environmental protection, beside planting trees. Maybe the marriage could be saved. Maybe the Jewish people?s burning love for Eretz Yisrael could be re-ignited.
Now, imagine for a moment...
Youth groups like B?nei Akiva, Ariel, Ezra, and Betar began teaching the True Love of the Land of Israel in all its aspects. They learned not to abandon her to strangers, nor to abuse her through misuse. They, in turn, influenced their elders, who had become complacent in the relationship.
The rabbis began to teach the Torah of the Land of Israel, like it says in Bereshit Rabba, ?There is no Torah like the Torah of the Land of Israel, and there is no wisdom like the wisdom of the Land of Israel.? The Torah of the Land began to spread out and inflame the Jewish people again.
Recycling centers began springing up throughout the Land. Factory owners installed new equipment (scrubbers) to clean the effluents from their smokestacks, and stopped their toxic dumping. Kibbutzim became concerned about pesticides and increasingly grew organic fruits and vegetables. The electric company proposed integrating solar and wind power into the electric generating system, so that they could cut down on fossil fuel usage. People started demanding better public transportation and using it, thus cutting down on auto exhaust emissions. The little children came home from school talking about the 3-Rs (Renew, Reuse, Recycle) and about True Love for the Land of Israel.
The love between the Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael had been re-established, only this time on a firmer footing of mutual respect. The marriage was saved. The children and grandchildren, and all future generations of Jews, could rest comfortably in the knowledge that the Land would be taken care of. A healthy and happy environment would exist for them when they appeared on the scene, in the future. The Jewish people had achieved sustainable development. True love for the Land of Israel had returned.
--------------------------------------------------------
Ariel Natan Pasko is an independent analyst & consultant. He has a Master's Degree in International Relations & Policy Analysis. His articles have been published on numerous news/views and think-tank websites, as well as in print newspapers.
(c)2002/5763 Pasko