We were doing a bit of research the other day and came across some statistics that illustrate quite clearly the dire situation of environmental regulation in Israel.

- Finland’s environment policy budget is €980 million in 2007, which includes €10 million towards a new pollution-fighting vessel for the Baltic Sea.
- The total budget for Netherlands Spatial Planning and the Environment Ministry for 2008 is approximately €1.3 billion.
- In Israel, the Ministry of the Environment has been guaranteed a grand total of 145 million shekels (or approximately €25 million… down 19 percent from 2007). And, assuming the Ministry meets certain conditions, it will receive another 110 million shekels (or approximately €19 million). Making the potential budget of Israel’s Ministry of the Environment a whopping 255 million shekels or €44 million.

The green “trend”, as some might call it, has hit the political scene here in Israel with members of Knesset all hoping to be the next Al Gore. This recent editorial piece is an excellent illustration of the long path ahead for raising environmental awareness and literacy among those in government. The amazing realization of Likud party members over the fact that organic food is not only good for you, but tastes good too is one small step in the right direction.

But may we suggest the next step? Increase funding for Israel’s Ministry of the Environment. Provide them with enough strength to stand up to big-business polluters and to conduct widespread education in Israel’s school system. Perhaps then our next generation will have clean water to swim in and leaders who see the need for environmental protection and sustainable development as not just a tool for achieving a Nobel Prize, but also means of providing a safe, lasting home for many years to come.

It was an excellent morning for a protest and an excellent protest it was.

Our voices were loud and clear as we shouted our demand to stop polluting the Mediterranean Sea.

Knesset Member Ophir Pines-Paz (Labour) joined us in calling for the Sea Spillage Permit Committee to stop allowing untreated sewage to be discharged directly into the sea.

Many thanks to all who joined us, especially members of Green Course and The Young Surfers Day Camp. Your support made this event a success!

We were joined by Knesset Member Ophir Pines-Paz and recieved a surprise visit from Minister of the Environment Gideon Ezra.

Our signs stood out to folks driving into Tel Aviv for work along Yarkon Street.

The cheers and chants of the Young Surfers Day Camp, who called for an end to pollution in the sea they surf in, was a powerful conclusion to a very important demonstration.

We will not allow our sea to be polluted!

Baker Hasan Barakat, Shaul Aviel, and Dr. Safwan Fawzi examine a barn owl, a symbol of cross-cultural cooperation across the Jordan River after Israeli farmers told Jordanians how they used the birds to ward off crop-destroying rats. - AP

• Jerusalem Post: Knesset declares ‘Environment Day’
• Haaretz: Study: ‘Green’ education at schools is in poor shape
• Haaretz: Poisonous fumes threaten building plans in Dan region
• USA Today: Owls unite Middle Eastern farmers

The Jerusalem Post discusses the case of Omri Sharon, son of Ariel, and his role in campaign funding violations and as an environmental advocate. View the article on Zalul’s flickr page.

Yesterday, Zalul took members of the Knesset Socio-Environmental Caucus on a tour of some of the most pollution affected areas of northern Israel. It began bright and early with a bus ride from Tel Aviv up to Haifa, picking up officials and press members along the way, and meeting to start the tour at the Haifa Port.

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