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Watch this webinar replay to see these special people who are building trust and advancing cross-border co-operation in the face of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.  Their work is more vital than ever before.  Israel has elected the most right-wing government in its history.  Faced with politicians who stand in direct opposition to TalkMatters’s values, we are increasing our support for Israeli-Palestinian grass-roots initiatives. 

In this webinar from 1st March 2023, our speakers were:

  • Tareq Abu Hamed, the Director of the Arava Institute
  • Ghassan Hamed, a current student on Special Arava Programme
  • Oz Drumlevich, an alumni of the Arava Institute

About the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies

‘At the Arava Institute, the idea that nature knows no political borders is more than a belief. It is a fact, a curriculum, and a way of life’

The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is a leading environmental studies and research institute in the Middle East located at Kibbutz Ketura in southern Israel.  With an intake from Jordan, Palestine, Israel and around the world, Arava offers students the opportunity to learn from experts how to tackle climate change, water scarcity, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.  At the same time, students have the chance to hear each others’ stories and to rally against racism and prejudice. 

With an intake from Jordan, Palestine, Israel and around the world, Arava offers students the opportunity to learn from experts and to develop the skills that enable them to lead the region and the world in solving today’s most pressing environmental challenges. At the same time, students have the chance to hear each others’ stories and to rally against racism and prejudice.

About our speakers

Tareq Abu Hamed PhD is the Executive Director of the Arava Institute and a Researcher at the Dead Sea and Arava Science Centre.  Tareq has worked at the Weizmann Institute of Science and his second post doctorate is from the University of Minnesota in the USA.  Tareq  publishes extensively and served at Israel’s Ministry of Science as the Vice Chief Scientist and as Director of Engineering Research.  Tareq’s  work has been recognized with several awards including the Dan David Prize.

Ghassan Hammad is a Palestinian Landscape Designer. He is passionate about beekeeping and organic farming. Ghassan aims to spark Environmental and Sustainability projects in his community in Palestine, and is currently working on solving the electronic waste problem in the South Hebron Hills.

Oz Drumlevich is an Israeli student of Geography and the Environment at Haifa university. Oz is a nature enthusiast, a peoples’ person and an environmentalist. He is an alumnus of the United World College in Dilijan, a Youth Guide and a believer of the great power of communities to facilitate the changes we seek to see in the world.