Unraveling the science and politics of the historical population-environment discourse in Israel

Background/Question/Methods

Despite the fact that Israeli scholars and environmental activists are well-aware of the connections between population growth, resource limits and environmental pollution, public and academic discourse on the subject is practically non-existent.  In this research, we reveal the scientific-political-social debates about population growth and environment in Palestine and Israel through three historical periods.  We thereby build the historical foundation for understanding the present situation, where discussion of limits on population growth is considered beyond the sanctioned discourse when considering Israel’s environmental challenges.

The research begins with an analysis of a discussion among archeologists and historians regarding population size in biblical era Israel based on archeological, historical and ecological studies. What begins as ostensibly sober academic research devolves into a highly politicized debate that either supports or denies the connection of modern day Jews to the Land of Israel.  In the next section, the British-Zionist-Arab debate regarding the ecological carrying capacity of British-mandate Palestine of the early 20^thcentury is analyzed.  This debate, which received its scientific information from wide array of researchers, had direct implications on British policy regarding Jewish immigration prior to and during World War II and was thus similarly politicized.  In the third section, the population policy of the new state of Israel is presented.  In particular, we focus on the scientific underpinning of socialist, Zionist ideology in support of population growth and its critique of ecological limits.

Results/Conclusions

Israel’s population growth rate is currently 1.6%, among the highest of the developed countries. At this rate, Israel’s current population of 8.2 million will double within 44 years.  The average fertility rate per Israeli woman is 3.0, compared to the global rate of 2.4.  Israel has limited resources and land, and is already one of the most densely populated countries among the developed nations.  Israeli ecologists and environmental scientists are aware of the challenges posed by population growth but are themselves immersed in deeply rooted historical narratives and are sensitive to the social and political implications of advocating for limits to population growth.  We conclude with a precautionary note that while the issue of population growth and its impact on future quality of life must be placed on the public agenda, the particularly politicized nature of the issue in Israel demands respect, caution and sensitivity.