The ending of Sharqiya surprised me. During the movie I didn’t even think of this as a possible outcome. Of course now I realize this is the reality that must often happen, especially due to the topographical nature of the areas the Bedouin populations tend to reside in. This prompted me to think about the peculiar relationship between the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and the state of Israel. The JNF was originally established as a Zionist agency whose intention was to buy land for Jews. Now however, it acts as a quasi-government agency that the government transfers real estate to in disputed areas, often resulting in discriminatory practices. This is justified because the JNF argues donors around the world donate under the premise that their money is going to Jews and the creation of Jewish spaces. While the JNF can exclusively sell land to Jews, the government cannot, creating a dangerous dynamic. In the South in evacuated Bedouin communities the JNF often uses foresting as a tactic to prevent villages unrecognized by the state from reforming after their destruction. In Sharqiya this would have prevented Kamel and his family from rebuilding. Ignoring the debate over who has the right to the land and just focusing on homes versus forests presents an interesting conflict.
From an environmental standpoint I am curious if afforestation is beneficial. As a Darwinist I believe the desert is a desert for a reason and allocating water to an area that does not naturally sustain water is wasteful. Introducing new plant species into an area where the ecosystem has developed to not include these entities is also problematic. For example, according to JNF statistics although 95% of planting sites outside of Jerusalem survive, six out of ten in Jerusalem do not. In addition, planting trees to make areas such as the Negev more hospitable for Jewish settlements is a strain on resources. There are benefits such as the prevention of soil degradation that trees roots provide, but I am not sure if benefits such as these outweigh the drawbacks. JNF’s water projects are much more sustainable and apolitical. JNF has successfully implemented river rehabilitation projects and increased the water storage capacity dramatically. Any organization should be aware of the impacts of their projects.
The push by JNF for Jewish settlement from the north to south border oversimplifies and ignores the dynamics of the area. Obstructing Bedouin herding paths or foresting Arab village abandoned post-1948 or evicting families from East Jerusalem are acts that demonstrate an irresponsible exercise of power. It is worrisome to me that organizations exist that have openly stated their purpose is to cater to one group of people at the cost of another, and that as a private organization they do not have to practice equality. Yes, there are numerous private organizations such as this around the world, but the JNF crosses the line between public and private by operating as a de facto arm of the Israeli government.
Nick