The anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar on the Jewish calendar, observed this year May 9-10) has become a major holiday throughout the mainstream Jewish community in Israel and around the world. On Yom Haatzmaut (Israel Independence Day), many synagogues recite Hallel, the collection of Psalms of thanksgiving (Psalms 113-118) that are central to the liturgy of the major festivals throughout the year.
I'll leave it to numerous other bloggers, columnists and reporters to provide geo-political analysis regarding the relationship between Israel, the Palestinians and its neighbors. As my Blog's focus is on Judaism and the environment, I'd like to take the opportunity to note Israel's contributions to environmental awareness and sustainability.
For many centuries, Jews primarily dwelled in urban areas as they were barred from owning land in their host countries. The immigration of Jews to the historic land of Israel in the late 19th century and early 20th century revived a lost spiritual connection between Jews and the land. In fact, in antiquity, Jews in Israel had an agrarian economy that thrived on the relationship between humans and nature. The late visionary ecologist and Biblical scholar Nogah Hareuveni created the Neot Kedumim biblical garden that brings to life the lush natural images that are evoked throughout the Bible and early rabbinic literature.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Jews arriving to Palestine with no agricultural background suddenly had to become farmers. Their survival depended on their working the land with their own hands and figuring out how to live in mutually benficial relationship with it. The mythology and ethos of the early Zionist pioneers was that they would drain the swamps in the north and make the desert bloom in the south. The sentiment was right, even as recent Israeli environmental advocates and scientists have worked toward restoring some swamps and desert to its original natural state for the benefit of the natural foliage, fauna and earth.
Trees have played an important role in the Jewish reclamation of the land, particularly under the leadership of the Jewish National Fund/Keren Kayemet. While Theodore Herzl and the early visionaries of the Jewish state may not have known all of the science of trees -- how they fill the atmosphere with oxygen, nourish the soil, prevent soil erosion -- they knew intuitively that the soul of the people was nourished by planting trees. They weren't perfect in their calculations. The Carmel fires last December raised questions about whether pine and eucalyptus trees are best for Israel's dry climate, and efforts are afoot to adjust tree planting to Israel's ecology (See: "After fire, what types of trees are best suited for Israel?"). What has not changed is the recognition that the soul of the people of Israel is dependent on a thriving symbiosis with nature, and trees are vital to this relationship.
Israel at 63 is a thriving, growing economy that is noted for its innovative ethos, as illustrated by Dan Senor and Saul Singer in Start-Up Nation. One of the most exciting business developments from the perspective of environmental sustainability is Shai Agassi's company Better Place. Responding to rising oil prices, dependence on oil produced largely by hostile, undemocratic nations and the environmental crisis created by fossil fuel dependency, Agassi's firm has begun to create an infrustructure to support electric vehicles throughout Israel. The technology of electric cars has been around for awhile, but Agassi is implementing a vision of economic viability for the electric vehicle. Better Place is building service stations around Israel where electric vehicles would get a "fill-up" of electric charge or trade out their spent batteries for a used one. In addition, the service stations will be powered by a revitalized smart grid that will draw largely upon renewable energy. As this system starts to come online in Israel, other countries are taking notice. Better Place has undertaken similar projects in Denmark, China, Japan and the American states of Hawaii, California and Oregon.
Every year at this time, Israelis and Jews around the world reflect on whether this will be the year in which, at last, Israel and its neighbors will find a lasting peace that will be mutually beneficial for both Jews and Arabs who live between the Jordan River and the Meditteranean Sea. While Israeli and Palestinian politicians wrestle with the details, the wills of their constituencies and with each other, some Jewish and Arab citizens have found ways to discuss regional cooperation on a grass-roots level. Not surprisingly, the areas of common interest revolve around their shared ecology. The Arava Institute brings together Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians to discuss and implement vital innovations in management of water resources, sustainable agriculture, sustainable development, energy conservation and ecological research. The future success of endeavors such as this will bring great benefit to the region and the world.
Jewish liturgy has incorporated the words of Isaiah (2:3): "From out of Zion shall come forth Torah." As the modern State of Israel marks its anniversary, my hope is that from out of Zion will come forth inspiration, innovation and regional collaboration that will pave the way toward environmental sustainability and peace.
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Israel Focuses On Alternative Energy, Cleaner Technology
Jan 4, 2011 ... Israel is driving to become a world leader in alternative energy, with the government throwing its support behind cutting-edge technologies.
www.huffingtonpost.com/.../israel-focuses-its-energy_n_804129.html
It is also clear that his views did not prevail. The current government of the Jewish State has made it quite clear that expansion of that State is more important than peace.
But what does that have to do with the "enviornment", which is the subject of the post?
How can Israelis claim to be close to the land when they destroy the olive groves and when they leave the work of raising crops to foreigners? They used to use Palestinians for their crops, now I hear they import Thai workers, no doubt paying the lowest wages possible. There's no "connection to the land", just a connection to the cities.
And, if it were not for the fact that young men and women in Israel must spend three years of their, lives in military service - while young women and men elsewhere pursue their academic studies - and as much time afterwards in reserve duty, humanity could be so much more advanced today.
But, sadly, some, to this day, categorically refuse to even make the declarative statement that they accept Israel's right to be - not the fact that it is - to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people, and instead, attempt to see to it that Israel is no more, on ANY parcel of land of the Jewish people's homeland of the past 4,000 years, between the River and the Sea.
Happy birthday Israel!!
But, in 1964, three full years before Israel captured the territory in the defensive Six-Day War, 1967, the Palestine Liberation Movement (PLO) was indeed st up. Which part of "Palestine" this movement was to "liberate" at that time...??
The answer of course can be found in the PLO's Charter of that year as well as in the PLO's present refusal to accept Israel's right to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people; to accept a peace treaty as the "end of the conflict" and the "end of all future demands".
Of course, Israel should be a homeland, a "safety valve" for all Jews. But how is it democratic when the rights of some residents are limited?
Israel is today a fact of life, accepted by the Palestinians, no matter how grudgingly, but accepted. They did lose their homes to Israel is a fact, just like they have suffered Israeli brutality is a fact.
As the arab peace plan says , Israel can be recognised within the 67 borders, but now Israel wants more. If nothing else, Israeli greed will kill the chances of peace. The longer this conflict lingers, greater the hatred towards Israel.
Does the Rabbi support removal of the main stumbling block... the settlements... or does he wish for a "peace" which insists that the "peace" should be such that Israel is allowed to eat its cake and have it to ? It just never works that way.
hamas and fatah kill far more palestinians than does Israel.
http://www.btselem.org/english/Statistics/Casualties.asp
but I hope Israel grows into a just country and finds a way to expand Avara type projects...for it is not as much as the reluctance to accept Israel as it is the reluctance to accept occuaption and a nonviable state for the Palestinians... Israel should use it's greatest assest-it's traditional Jewish Justice and love for humanity for all of it's citizens... or in the words of the Torah.. what is hateful to you shall not be done to others.
The arab peace plan explicitly recognises Israel.
"Never give up land she won....".. that condemns Israels children to never ending strife.
Second, the "67 borders" were not, in fact, borders, but temporary armistice lines. I think you well understand that difference. Third, nobody has a monopolity on brutality in this conflict. You may want to read a little history.
You need move with the times like the Pals have... they recognise israel... Your view is outdated. No one but the US of A, Palou and the marshall islands support Israels claim to greater Israel, in the w bank.
Israel has a chance to live in peaceif it takes this opportunity.
My history is fine... you need to get real.