Jagoda Munic, chairperson of Friends of the Earth International, in Palestine
Credit: Friends of the Earth

A four day high-level Friends of the Earth International visit to Friends of the Earth Palestine (also known as PENGON) took place recently.

The visit concluded with Friends of the Earth International chair, Jagoda Munic, presenting a report during a press conference in Ramallah. The report, Environmental Injustice and Violations of the Israeli Occupation of Palestine, documents some of the environmental injustice that a Friends of the Earth International delegation observed in 2012.

Jagoda Munic, the chairperson of Friends of the Earth International, said: “We have witnessed less visible forms of occupation, including toxic waste-dumping, the expropriation and diversion of fresh water sources from Palestinian communities, the development of polluting industries close to Palestinian towns and land-grabs.

“Palestine stands as an example of the link between environmental injustice and social and political injustice,” she added. “The environmental and subsequent humanitarian impact worsens every year.” The Friends of the Earth International delegates who visited Palestine are from Croatia, Mozambique, Uruguay, the UK and the US. They visited areas around Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarem, Nablus, and villages around Jerusalem and Northern Jordan valley.

They observed the water, soil and air pollution in these areas and witnessed and commended the valuable work carried out by Friends of the Earth Palestine/PENGON in Palestine, extending their solidarity to the Palestinians.