Joint Environmental Project in Gaza

(August 1999)

In the first operation of its kind, a joint Israeli-Palestinian-American project to map environmentally sensitive sites on the Gaza coast is being undertaken.

The mapping project's objective is to locate sites sensitive to oil pollution in order to determine national priorities in the event of any future oil spill. Joint Israeli- Palestinian teams are mapping the coast, while scientists are cooperating to protect the Gazan and Israeli coasts and shorelines. Also, joint courses for professional supervisors in the field of oil pollution from Jordan, Israel and the The Palestinian Authority (PA) will be held in order to develop a common basis for future cooperation in coping with ocean pollution in Gaza.

The project is being funded by the United States and the RPI Corporation from South Carolina is aiding its work.

Israel is currently conducting a similar survey along its Mediterranean coast, and in cooperation with Jordan, along the Gulf of Eilat.