Rehabilitation of the Jordan River: A Commitment of Faith

The Friends of Earth-Middle East held a conference at Crown Plaza, the Dead Sea, focusing in the process on the rehabilitation of the Jordan River and commitment of faith. Dr. Geries S. Khoury represented Al-Liqa’ in the proceedings presenting a Christian view of the importance of the River. He added that this River should be a peaceful encounter between peoples and religions instead of being a center of conflict. The River Jordan, for Christians is third in importance after the Church of the Nativity and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. All of us need to protect and preserve it. Its water, for the major part of it, is being utilized by the Israelis and it is becoming drier. Khoury stressed that we need to work together to rehabilitate it. This can be done only if military occupation comes to an end. Many delegations from Western countries, Israel, Jordan and Palestine attended this gathering.