MIDEASTENVIRONET - The Middle East Environmental Network

The Palestine Center

Edited transcript of a presentation by members of the Negotiation Support Unit of the PLO’s Negotiations Affairs Department on Water
“For the Record” No. 280 (27 June 2007)

At a 14 June 2007 Palestine Center briefing, Dr. Shaddad Attili, Mr. Fuad Bateh and Mr. John Murray of the Negotiations Support Unit of the PLO’s Negotiations Affairs Department, proposed a positive-sum approach for the resolution of the water crisis in the Middle East. As for the allocation of water, both on the political and topographical level, they maintained that an equitable allocation of water is not only essential for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state but will also help restore relations with Israel and its neighboring countries. They also emphasized the dire need for clean water in Gaza and the creation of a much needed desalinization plant. Ultimately, the question of a viable and sustainable Palestinian state and the long-term interests of all the water-sharing parties—Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syrian and Palestine—depends on a sound and just resolution to the water conflict.

Continue reading ""Palestinian Water Crisis: Bilateral and Regional Perspectives"" »

Posted by MEEF at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Source: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Date: 12 Jan 2007

USAID funds a waste removal project in Tal El Sultan

Tal El Sultan, Gaza Strip - The United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) is assisting in the removal of a
hazardous solid waste dump in Tal El Sultan neighborhood in Rafah.
Through this $25,000 emergency assistance program, USAID is
responding to a serious health threat to the residents of Tal El
Sultan. The cleanup, which started on December 19, will improve the
environment and quality of life for 30,000 people.
The Tal El Sultan waste removal project is part of USAID's $28.2
million emergency assistance program, Rafeed. This program enables
USAID to respond promptly to the immediate humanitarian and emergency
needs of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza.
Since 1993, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have received more
than $1.7 billion in U.S. economic assistance via USAID projects to
combat poverty, improve health and education, create jobs and promote
good governance.

Posted by MEEF at 12:43 PM | Permalink

PNN

(Gaza City) Wisam Afifeh
Wednesday, 20 September 2006
The Palestinian Ministry of Transport issued a draft to the Council of Ministers
for a new system that uses a less expensive form of gas as auto fuel.

Although specifics are currently unavailable, the price at the pumps is expected
to drop significantly compared to the cost incurred by using the standard gas of
conventional cars.

Transport Minister, Said Al Din Khurma, issued a press statement indicating that
additional amendments will be made to the Executive Traffic Law, to be
implemented at year’s end.

Once the Council of Ministers approves the amendments, licensing fees for cars
and garages will be reduced by 50 percent. Periods of valid registration for
older vehicles will be extended. The changes that are underway have been in the
works since the Hamas party came into office, aiming to ease the citizens’
economic burden.

The cost to the Government’s 2007 budget for implementing the changes is 294.5
million NIS, or approximately 71 million USD, the Transport Minister said.

Media outlets, the fishing industry, and projects in the infrastructure, such as
sewage, are all receiving overhauls in licensing, maintenance and assistance in
hopes of easing the public’s burden to the tune of eight million USD in
government expenditure.

Posted by MEEF at 12:49 PM | Permalink