Conserving the Spice of Life: Narratives of Za'atar Regulations in Israel and the West Bank
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Date
2023-05
Authors
Reynolds, Kate
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
In 1977, the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture declared wild za'atar a protected plant in Israel, strictly regulating its harvesting. The criminalization of za'atar harvesting continues to be enforced in Israel and occupied territories of the West Bank by the Israeli Nature and Parks Association (INPA). The enforcement has disproportionately negatively impacted Palestinians, leading to debates about the policy's motivations and efficacy. The goal of this research is to understand the main themes of this issue through a lens of political ecology. I do this by isolating and analyzing narratives from the Israeli government and INPA, and from Palestinian foragers and scholars regarding the za’atar regulation and its continued enforcement. I perform a thematic analysis of the regulation, letters, articles, webpages, and a film from the two different narrative perspectives. The concept of green colonialism, which refers to the use of environmental conservation and protection to mask or serve colonial ends, is applied to the themes.The INPA emphasizes conservation concerns, while the Palestinian narrative situates the regulation within the context of the greater conflict. Joint Israeli-Palestinian efforts to address conservation in the West Bank are highlighted, and the importance of analyzing environmental conservation regulations to ensure efficacy and consideration of stakeholders is emphasized.
Description
59 pages
Keywords
Za'atar, Israel, Palestine, Colonialism, Political Ecology, 1977 Za'atar Regulation