Israel Environment Bulletin Autumn 1993-5754, Vol. 16, No. 4
ENVIRONMENTAL COVENANT
We hereby attest that we have convened in Beit Hanassi (the
Presidents' Residence) in Jerusalem on Monday, the 20th day in the
month of Elul 5753, September 6th 1993, in order to implement the
government decision declaring the Jewish year, 5754, the Year of
the Environment.
We, the citizens of Israel Jews, Arabs and Druse
representatives of the cabinet and the Knesset, the Chief
Rabbinate, local authorities, the Histadrut Federation of Labor,
the Manufacturers Association, farmers, industrialists and friends
of the environment undertake, within the framework of this
covenant, to heed the environmental commandments
Namely:
Our world is one and our country is one irreplaceable and
they are entrusted to us to bequeath to future generations as they
were bestowed upon us and improved by our own contribution, as the
Creator commanded Adam: "See My works, how beautiful and perfect
they are, and all I created I created for you. Beware lest you
spoil and destroy My world, for if you will spoil it, there is no
one to repair it after you." (Ecclesiastes Rabba, 7:28)
It is incumbent upon us to nurture and respect our plot of land
with its unique landscape, climate and diversity of flora and fauna
of which it is written, "the good and ample land which Thou wast
pleased to give as a heritage to our fathers and to us, to eat of
its fruits and to be satisfied with its goodness"; a land in which
the past touches the future and commands it: remember and observe;
a land in which landscape and spirit, culture and creativity,
tradition and renewal are inextricably intertwined and become as
one.
Our universe and the natural resources which embellish it are our
source of life bestowing water and nourishment, medicine and
building resources to sustain man and the living world which
surrounds him. Their goodness must be derived in prudence and
wisdom so as neither to deplete nor destroy them, so as not to
disrupt the precious and wondrous balance of nature lest we
destroy from our midst flora, fauna, and landscape resources.
The goal of scientific development and technological progress,
which have skyrocketed in the 20th century, is the advancement of
quality of life upon this earth. Yet, all too frequently, in the
blaze of development set off by the man-dominated machine, the
blessing of progress is transformed into the curse of decline,
bringing about irreparable disruption and ruin all by man's very
hands.
Therefore, We Hereby Declare:
We have hereby entered into a covenant with all human beings,
wherever they may be, to stand united to close the breach, to stop
the mindless destruction and extinction which threaten our planet.
Environmental degradation knows no boundaries, no nationalities, no
states. Now is the time to heed the message of the Rio Earth
Summit, the message of international and regional cooperation and
national responsibility our only guarantees of success.
The commandment of environmental protection is in our hands and
in our hearts to fulfill. We must ensure that all that is done
for the benefit of the individual and the collective takes account
of the environment and its resources, taking care not to destroy,
damage or mar our planet's natural beauty. We must preserve the
image of the land and the rich heritage which is embedded in its
landscapes, for man is the image of his native landscape.
At the forefront of our concern are the limited natural resources
which were handed to us water, soil and air; we shall preserve
them from all harm to prevent their depletion and deterioration
through wise use and sustainable development. We will use these
resources without abusing them, without disturbing the sensitive
balance between human welfare and environmental wholeness. We will
endeavor to rehabilitate those natural resources heedlessly
damaged, those environmental treasures recklessly destroyed.
We shall base our activity on the sound foundation of legislation,
both international conventions and national legislation, placing
environmental welfare high on the priority list of decision makers
and planners. We shall develop innovative technologies which will
benefit the environment, and we shall foster study and research to
promote wise development.
Quality of the environment is synonymous with quality of life, for
"the beauty of a place reflects on its inhabitants" (Sotah 47). It
is written in the Talmudic literature that a pleasant home and
pleasant furnishings enlarge a man's contentment, and the same is
said with regard to trees and flowers and above all the
cleanliness of premises, markets and courtyards. It is incumbent
upon us to inculcate an environmental ethic and code of conduct in
the individual and in mankind for only thus will we achieve the
full measure of our humanity.
We hereby sign this covenant with the faith and conviction that our
concern for our environment will represent a challenge calling out
to every man, organization and group. May we have the chance to
fulfill, in theory and in practice, the special slogan of this
year: "To the Environment with Love."
Signed:
The President of the State of Israel
Prime Minister
Minister of the Environment
Chairman of the Knesset
Chief Rabbis
Representatives of the Histadrut Federation of Labor, Local
Government Authority, Consumer Protection and Environmental
Protection Authority, Manufacturers Association and heads of
governmental and non-governmental environmental organizations.