JNF-KKL Joins Forces with World's Largest Environmental Clean-Up Organization For Clean Up The World Day

Jewish National Fund
Wednesday, 24 October 2001

JNF-KKL, Students, Soldiers, Citizens Come Together to Clean Up Beersheva River

October 24, 2001 – New York, NY– Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemeth Le Israel (JNF-KKL) joined forces with the Clean Up the World organization in recognition of Clean Up the World Day last month. JNF-KKL representatives, joined by 1000 students, soldiers and citizens, collected three tons of trash in an effort to clean up the Beersheva River. This project was organized with the cooperation of the Beersheva Municipality and the National Geographic television network.

In addition to the three tons of trash collected by hand, heavy equipment and cranes made available by JNF-KKL removed dozens of tons of garbage from the riverbed. The river clean up kicks off a major JNF-KKL project to rehabilitate the Beersheva River and ultimately establish the Beersheva River Park for local recreation.

"JNF is very excited to be joining forces with the 125 countries and millions of people who are a part of the Clean Up the World organization, which is the world's largest group concerned with environmental quality," says JNF-KKL World Co-Chairman Shlomo Gravetz. "We are pleased to be part of this global effort which is so important for environmental awareness. The clean up and rehabilitation day at the Beersheva River is part of an enormous project undertaken by JNF-KKL to restore Israel's river ways."

The Beersheva River is a major link in the desert river system emptying into the sea. JNF-KKL regards the project as a catalyst of real change in the quality of life of Beersheva residents since the Beersheva is more than just a major riverway. Sites of archeological, geological and ecological significance can be found along the river's bank.

JNF-KKL is making a major investment in the project, ranging from actual river rehabilitation like removing pollutants, ensuring drainage functions and treating environmental eyesores, to the development of recreational areas surrounding the river. Plans include repairing the Turkish Bridge and the Bedouin market, creating a promenade from Tel Sheva to Beersheva, building public parks, developing a bird-watching area, and restoring and preserving natural, scenic, archeological, and historical sites along the riverbed.

Founded in 1901, Jewish National Fund is a non-profit organization. JNF is celebrating its 100th Anniversary as caretaker of the land of Israel, on behalf of its owners - Jewish people everywhere. After its establishment at the Fifth Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, JNF set out to achieve its goal of purchasing the land that would become the State of Israel. Following the successful establishment of the state in 1948, the organization has continued to evolve to address Israel's most pressing needs, including the current water crisis. Over the past century, the organization has planted over 220 million trees, built over 120 dams and reservoirs, developed over 250,000 acres of land, created more than 400 parks throughout Israel and educated students around the world about Israel and the environment. For more information on JNF or to plant trees in Israel, call 1-800-542-TREE (8733) or visit www.jnf.org.

The Clean Up the World organization was founded in 1993 in Australia and is, today, the largest body concerned with environmental quality. Since its establishment, more than 150 million people have taken part in diverse projects in 125 countries all over the globe. In the year 2000 alone, 37.5 million people took part in the project.

For more information, or to contact Jewish National Fund, see their website at: www.jnf.org