The Ottomans were largely responsible for robbing the landscape in Palestine and Lebanon of its trees. It was a long period of neglect. And not only did they cut down the trees, they also robbed Palestine of its young men as canon fodder for their armies
Palestinian farmers have a lot of respect for nature. See them defend their olive trees being ripped en mass out of the ground by Israeli bulldozers.
I do acknowledge that environmental consciousness needs to take hold wider amongst the Palestinian public, but if you live in poverty, as many Palestinians do, green issues are not a priority. Zaatar (thyme) is one of the basic ingredients in the diet of all Palestinians, but especially the poor (mana`ish zaatar).
If it comes to environmental issues Israel is the big villain compared to Palestine. Israel`s irresponsible exploitation of the water aquifers, its chemical industry causing widespread pollution and the monstrous wall have caused a huge environmental disaster. |
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