A group of Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian environmentalists have put politics aside to fight a $15 billion World Bank plan to revive the Dead Sea, which is dropping by about three feet a year. The bank’s plan proposes building a canal or tunnel to link the salt-laden sea to the Red Sea in the south.
The environmentalists, members of Friends of the Earth Middle East (FOEME), along with prominent businesses like Israel’s Dead Sea Works, believe the canal could destroy the sea’s fragile and unique ecosystem.
The Dead Sea, one of the saltiest bodies of water on the planet, is bordered by Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. While it doesn’t support marine life, it is bursting with minerals and salts which provide healing therapies for people suffering from cystic fibrosis to psoriasis.
Find out why the Dead Sea is shrinking and what plans are afoot to save it in our special ISRAEL21c report.
Fighting for Israel's truth
We cover what makes life in Israel so special — it's people. A non-profit organization, ISRAEL21c's team of journalists are committed to telling stories that humanize Israelis and show their positive impact on our world. You can bring these stories to life by making a donation of $6/month.
