Nader KhatibWater and Environmental Development Organization, Friends of the Earth Middle East |
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Economic/Environmental Resources:
“ Palestinians possess rights over water that they haven’t yet received. Palestine should have a basic role in regional development programs and receive its lawful share of the Jordan River water. In addition to the Dead Sea, we focus our efforts on the Jordan Valley between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. We seek to draw attention to this area and to its historic and cultural richness. We are trying to win it the title of World Heritage Site as well. This area is important for us, Jordan and Israel, but the Jordan River is important for all the Christians in the world, partly due to Baptism sites located on it. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
Vision and Economic/Environmental Resources:
“ The daily deterioration of the environment is what drives our work. Environmental issues can’t be put off until a regional understanding and a peace agreement is reached. Widespread pollution is still taking place in many areas, and in a few years the land we have been fighting over for hundreds of years will become inhospitable…Water preservation is necessary for solving the current crisis and the prevention of future conflicts over water. We don't need any more reasons for conflict, we have enough already. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
“ At WEDO and Friends of the Earth we are against all forms of violence and primarily oppose the occupation; we believe that it is the main obstacle to peace. It is a simple equation: end the occupation and there will be peace and security for everyone. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
Economic/Environmental Resources:
“ These are [environmental] issues the Israelis can't solve alone, because the source of the problem is in Palestine. On the other hand Palestinians can’t solve them either because they don’t have the land in which to build a treatment plant. As a result of the attention of the local councils and the pressure they put on the governments, we reached an agreement. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
“ Politics and the current political situation are obstacles. An example is the issue of permits. Our crews can't freely meet. If our Jordanian colleagues want to come here, they need visas, and this is a very complicated process. In order for us to meet our Israeli colleagues in Jerusalem we must obtain permits, and during closures this is nearly impossible. Our Israeli colleagues work hard to help us get permits, but political circumstances are beyond our control. Our Israeli colleagues are very devoted to the work and are keen on visiting the Palestinian Territories, but the same Israeli restrictions that prevent Palestinians from entering Israel or Jerusalem prevent Israelis from entering the Palestinian Territories. These obstacles greatly affect our activities and make them harder and more challenging. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
“ There exists some kind of political agreement within our organization, because it is impossible for me to work with someone who supports the occupation. How can I speak to a person if he doesn’t recognize my right to live peacefully, securely and independently like he does? ” [Source in Complete Interview]
“ We still face certain problems because much of our work is financed by Americans, who don’t allow anyone from the PA to take part in any of our meetings or activities. We had no problems inviting local council members to the US, or working with the Jericho city council, because none belonged to Hamas, but in other cases we have faced problems working with local or city councils. We can't work in a city and ignore the city council. The city council is the main address in every city, so either you cooperate with it, or you don't work there at all. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
“ In general Muslims believe that if they die during a conflict they are martyrs with a better life waiting for them on the other side. When this life doesn't mean a lot to them, they don’t fear death any more, and there comes a time when it even becomes a wish. When a person sets death as a wish and a goal, he is prepared to do anything. In order to stop violence, people's lives should be made meaningful and things in their lives should be created for them to hold on to. If one loses a penchant for life, the situation is tragic. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
“ The current Palestinian ministries were imposed by a certain political reality through a transparent political process; therefore I can't deny their existence, especially as a Palestinian. They are our representatives, whether we like it or not. The will of the majority of the people placed them in that position. Others may have other approaches, but in Palestine I can't deny the legitimacy of an authority I am part of. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
Economic/Environmental Resources:
“ When I work towards preserving the Palestinian environment, I am primarily serving the Palestinian people. It is natural that the other side may indirectly benefit from our work. Any improvement in the environment on either side will have a positive effect on both sides, while deterioration in environmental conditions will harm us both as well. Air pollution in Israel eventually reaches the Palestinian Territories, and the cleaning up of the air in Tel Aviv and Hadera will let us breathe clean air in the West Bank. We work according to a Palestinian agenda. My priority is to serve my people and environment. ” [Source in Complete Interview]
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