Palestine: ecological breakdown meets experienced resisters
18 OCT | Umm al Khair, West Bank
These Bedouin children from the
West Bank village of Umm al Khair have one of the lowest carbon
footprints on earth, yet they are among those who will suffer the most
from ecological breakdown.
Palestinians will be amongst those hardest hit by the crisis. This environmental inequality is further compounded by a political one, as Palestinian access to water is restricted and much of their wells and infrastructure have been destroyed. With droughts and desertification likely to hit the region, life is made especially hard.
In Umm al Khair, most of the village’s water supply has been stolen by the neighbouring settlement of Carmel (seen in the background), leaving the area’s Bedouins with an average of just 15 litres of water per day.
Community activist and Umm al Khair resident Awdah Hathaleen said: “They control the water network,
and they only allow the people of Umm Al-khair to get a little water.
More than 5000 plants of thyme died this year because of the water
problems... They don't have mercy for the human; how they will be merciful with the environment?”
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