Man of the environment

As director of Friends of the Earth Middle East, Gideon Bromberg believes ‘water is the only core issue of the peace process whose resolution can immediately improve the lives of both peoples.’

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Gidon Bromberg 370 (photo credit: courtesy)
Gidon Bromberg 370
(photo credit: courtesy)
What issue gets you out of bed in the morning?
Dearest to me are regional, cross-border water issues and the important role they play in Middle Eastern politics, particularly within the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Friends of the Earth Middle East, the regional organization of which I am the co-founder and Israeli director, deals primarily with peace-building through common concern for sustainable management of water shared by Israelis, Jordanians and Palestinians. Our latest initiative is to promote a final water accord between Israelis and Palestinians that could help build the trust necessary in order to revive the overall political process.
What issue keeps you up at night?
Continuous pollution of our shared water resources, including the release of carcinogenic substances into our streams and water supply, simply scares me. There is a lack of understanding that we are all in the same boat when it comes to the environment, especially on water and sanitation. Social and environmental justice cannot stop at the Green Line. It is a matter of selfinterest to work with our neighbors on water issues, but in a manner that advances mutual gain.
What’s the most difficult professional moment you’ve faced so far?
Accusations from both the far Right and the far Left that I work for the benefit of the other side.
How do you celebrate your achievements?
The other week, when fresh water was released down the lower Jordan River for the first time in 50 years, very much a FoEME achievement, I took myself out to dinner – a four-course meal! If you were prime minister, what’s the first thing you would do? Propose a final agreement on water issues between us and the Palestinians based on fair water sharing and a commitment to stop pollution. Water is the only core issue of the peace process whose resolution can immediately improve the lives of both peoples.
Which Israeli should have a movie made about him/her?
The eight Israeli community coordinators of FoEME out in the field. They are having to convince youth, adult residents and mayors that working with their neighbors is in their own interest. Many odd moments to catch, including when the staff brought all mayors from the Jordan River area – Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian – to jump into a clean stretch together, big bellies out there. It was a laugh.
What would you change about Israelis if you could?
A little bit more patience when waiting in line, driving on the roads and toward each other.
iPad, BlackBerry or pen and paper?
Pen and paper.
If you had to write an advertisement to entice tourists to come to Israel, what would it say?
Come visit the Israel that you do not know – its environment.
What is the most serious problem facing the country?
The lack of political leadership to take on the hard decisions – in the peace process and social and environmental justice issues.
How can it be solved?
Each and every one of us needs to speak out and raise our voices in a manner that forces politicians to keep their heads out of the sand. In order for our politicians to be more honest, we too need to be more honest with ourselves and ask ourselves whether we are doing enough to create the Israel and the region that we want to live in.
In 20 years, the country will be:
A little bit more normal, more caring for each other, our environment and our neighbors.