Traveling Through Israel

As part of our mid term, the entire EAPPI group traveled through Israel last week. 

We stayed two nights in Haifa but took day trips up and down Israel.  I was impressed by the quality of life afforded its citizens.  They have beautiful highways, buildings, parks and schools. 

We got a glimpse of several water projects which was of interest to me as my father spent his career in the Soil Conservation Service in Montana.  The land is so beautiful and the Mediterranean is absolutely spectacular.  

Watershed project near Haifa

Akko, Israel

Even the roundabouts on their highways are sprinkled with beautiful pieces of art.  The ground, when given water, is very fertile and the flowers and gardens were truly impressive. 

Fish Market in Akko, Israel

The contrast on the other side of the Separation Barrier is stark.  Tulkarm is only 9 miles from the Mediterranian.  The people of Tulkarm, many of whom used to fish it's beaches and some of whom owned land very near the sea, now cannot even see it because of the Barrier.  I wonder if the same kind of development we saw on our trip could happen in Palestine if the occupation would end and the restrictions eased.  Palestinians struggle to get permits for building or remodeling.  They are forbidden to drill for water.  There is much less money for road maintenance or anything else that contributes to a good quality of life. 

Questions persist.

Susanne