Jumping Into the Water Without Negotiations or Preconditions

In an event organized by "Friends of the Earth – Middle East", a group of young Israelis and Palestinians, along with various municipal leaders from the region, jumped into the Jordan River on Sunday south of Deganya near the Sea Galilee.

The purpose of "The Big Jump" was to bring attention to the deteriorating condition of the lower Jordan River and to urge governments in the region to take steps to restore the river.

According to a recent FoEME study, of the original 1.3 billion cubic meters of clean water that used to flow down the Jordan River annually, only 30 million cubic meters currently flow and much of this water is polluted.

The jump took place in the last remaining section of the Lower Jordan River where clean water flows.

"The Big Jump is an expression of a shared vision and cooperation with our Jordanian and Palestinian neighbors along the Jordan River," said Yossi Vardi, head of the Jordan Valley Regional Council.

Gideon Bromberg, head of Friends of the Earth – Middle East, called for increased cooperation with the Palestinians and Jordanians to rehabilitate the river.

"[With this event] we are calling for the restoration of the river, along its entire length, for the good of all who live along its banks," he said.