North

This weekend I had the opportunity to go North with the SFP and a group of environmentalists from Israel and Palestine. The environmental group is one of the many workshop and planning groups that participates in programs at the SFP. Environmental concerns are not limited by borders and environmental protection, with the most important emphasis being place upon water security, availability and equity, is essential to the peace process and peaceful coexistence.

The trip was supposed to be much more comprehensive; a visit to a water treatment facility and another water management project sight. Unfortunately, the Palestinian members of our group were stalled for two and half hours and an Israeli checkpoint, so the trip was cut down to only a few stops. 

(There will be a blog entry about checkpoints and the separation barrier coming up soon)  


Despite the setback we were able to visit a river in the North, which has become heavily polluted due to the mismanagement chemical factories and oil refiners up stream. (Sound familiar?)


The participants in the group are doing research for there own projects, which will include presentations and project proposals on renewable energy, water management, wildlife conservation and environmental protection. It was a very interesting day. I really need to learn more Hebrew and Arabic. I felt like was only getting bits and pieces of the conversations going on around me. One of the participants was able to translate some of the Hebrew, but I still felt a little lost with only my lonely planet phrasebook in hand. 

The Crusader Barracks and the Pilgrims Lodge

Later on we went to Acre, (Akko/Akka in Hebrew/Arabic) which is a city in the North of Israel on the coast. We didn't have much time in Acre unfortunately, just an hour and half to eat and explore, but it was great to scope out the city for a future visit. 

Acre is one of the oldest habitation sites in Israel/Palestine and was an important strategic port city during the Crusades and is a holy city of the Baha'i faith and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Acre is a very idealistic city, located right on the sea, with beaches and docks. However it is of course a very tense location as well. Acre is home to a large population of Arabs and Palestinians and is one of the diverse cities in Israel.

Part of the Old City Sea Wall

The Sea Wall