Right now the Knesset is drafting the new Concession Law which will govern how the Dead Sea will look for decades. It’s a historic opportunity to change this natural wonder’s trajectory and one that won’t return.

Sign the Petition Now

The Dead Sea Guardians, along with other organizations, are calling for the new law to explicitly include a fund that will be used to rehabilitate the Dead Sea and charge the factories per water usage.

We demand a Dead Sea Restoration Fund in law!

We need your help!

✅ Sign the petition now:

https://savethedeadsea.co.il/

✅ Already signed? Share this message with your friends and groups. More signatures = more impact on decision-makers! 💪

Together, we can save the Dead Sea. Act today!

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In a historic first, President Isaac Herzog visited the shores of the Dead Sea and met with representatives of the Dead Sea Guardians.

Founder of the Dead Sea Guardians Oded with President Herzog. Credit Florentinfilm & Koby Gideon

During this landmark visit, the President expressed his deep appreciation for our mission and formally offered his patronage—an unprecedented endorsement of our work to protect one of the world’s most treasured natural wonders.

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Our team presented a comprehensive vision for scientific research, environmental diplomacy, and regional collaboration.

Credit Florentinfilm & Koby Gideon

The President not only embraced this vision but also pledged support for our long-term plan to convene an international summit in 2026, bringing together global leaders, scientists, and policymakers to forge a coalition for the Dead Sea’s future.

See more about the visit in this short video shared by the President on his Twitter handle:

This recognition marks a turning point in our efforts. With the President’s backing, we are entering a new era of responsibility and action—one that will restore hope and ensure that the Dead Sea remains a source of life and connection for generations to come.

Thank you for standing with us on this historic journey.

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Dead Sea Guardians – Restoring Connection, Responsibility, and Hope.

Sometimes the most profound moments of hope emerge from the most unexpected places. Picture this: a room full of high school students, far from home, caught in Israel during the recent war with Iran. These weren't just any students, they were part of @akiva, a program within the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, and they had every reason to be focused on their immediate safety and return home.

Yet when our founder Oded Rahav stepped into that room to speak with them, something extraordinary happened. Instead of distraction or disengagement, he found himself facing a group of young people whose eyes lit up when he spoke about the Dead Sea's crisis. Despite everything going on outside of the room, these students leaned in, asked thoughtful questions, and demonstrated a genuine desire to understand how they could make a difference.

In that moment, Oded witnessed something powerful: the next generation of leaders and advocates maintaining their capacity for hope and action.

Their response reinforced something we deeply believe; that hope is an active force to drive real change. It allows us to see beyond immediate challenges and reminds us that saving the Dead Sea is an opportunity to heal not just the land but also our society.

As we look towards that future, we are excited to announce a new program we are developing, the New Horizon Civic Leadership Program to Save the Dead Sea—an ambitious initiative designed to cultivate a network of ambassadors with deep understanding of the Dead Sea's ecological, spiritual, and cultural significance.

Based on a Learn-Earn-Return model, this program will target passionate professionals with proven track records who are motivated to lead social and environmental change. Participants will engage in modules covering theoretical and practical knowledge, leadership training, and community-based initiatives guided by experts from science, media, tourism, civil society, and academia.

Our graduates will leave with the expectation to create initiatives that include awareness events, content creation and building partnerships within each of their networks. These Guardians will be part of the next step towards protecting one of the world's most unique and threatened natural environments.

The Dead Sea has witnessed human civilization for millennia, and it will survive today's destruction if we commit to its preservation through collective action. We are therefore turning to you, our partners and friends, to help us move this new initiative forward.

The students Oded met embody this collective spirit perfectly. They didn't let difficult circumstances diminish their curiosity or willingness to engage. They understood that caring for our natural environment is one of the most hopeful acts we can perform: a declaration of faith in the future.

We invite you to join us in this spirit of active hope. Together, we will ensure that future generations inherit not just the memory of the Dead Sea's majesty, but its living reality.

With hope and determination,

The Dead Sea Guardians

If you would like to help us continue to build this leadership program and other activities, please consider donating to the Dead Sea Guardians.

Donate Here

For USD donations, please use the following link:

Dear Friends,

As we approach the upcoming holidays, we extend our warmest wishes for a Happy Pesach, Happy Easter, and a belated Eid Mubarak to all our supporters. This season of renewal and reflection is a perfect time to share exciting updates and opportunities from the Dead Sea Guardians.

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Leadership Development & Community Engagement

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Dead Sea Guardians Leadership Program. This initiative will develop a network of ambassadors who will gain more knowledge about the current situation, improve advocacy expertise, and develop storytelling skills, all in order to implement projects that contribute to the Sea's preservation efforts.

The Dead Sea is more than just a geographical point—it is a symbol of heritage, breathtaking nature, and a wake-up call to all of us. This region, on the brink of an environmental crisis, also presents an opportunity to create a new future through deep connections between community, environment, and creativity. The "Dead Sea Ambassadors" program was born from this understanding, believing in our power to lead systemic, local, and global change. We look forward to reporting back to partners like you as the program moves ahead.

Visit by Faith Leaders to the Dead Sea

We were honored to have a group, led by the Buddhist faith leaders Lama Glen and Chongwol-La, join us for a tour of the Dead Sea (or as they insist correctly to call it in its Hebrew name- Yam HaMelach, since no death should be involved in such a living entity), to explore, learn more about its beauty, destruction, ways to revive it, and offer support for our mutual efforts in saving our treasured waters. They held meetings, prayers, and offerings for the benefit of the Sea.

Credit: Oded Rahav

Comptroller's Report on Dead Sea Management

The recent State Comptroller's report highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the Dead Sea Works. The report underscores the need for better oversight and sustainable practices to protect this unique natural resource. You can read the full report in Hebrew here and an article summarizing the findings in English here.

Credit: Oded Rahav

Investing in our Vision - Partnering with the Dead Sea Guardians

As we gather during this season marked by Passover, Easter, and Ramadan, we are surrounded by powerful themes shared across our faiths—reflection, liberation, the possibility of transformation and hope. These holidays, though distinct in tradition, unite us in their call to look inward, to act with compassion, and to build a better future for our communities and our world. In this spirit, the Dead Sea Guardians’ mission resonates deeply: to transform a region in upheaval into a place supporting resilience and cooperation.

With extraction rights for the Dead Sea set for renewal in 2030, our actions today will define the path for generations to come. The Dead Sea, a natural wonder shared by many people, holds the potential not only for being an example of how to heal the environment but also for fostering unity in a fractured world. This sacred season invites us to act with vision and commitment.

By partnering with the Dead Sea Guardians, you are not only investing in environmental restoration; you are supporting a model of cooperation and economic growth for this region.

Partner with us

Please consider partnering with the Dead Sea Guardians and help support our 2025 initiatives:

• Leadership Development Program

• Twin Rivers Alliance – expanding impact to other river communities worldwide

• Community Engagement - Events reaching hundreds of participants

• Salt Water 2025 Exhibition

• YAMA Summit in 2026

Let this season inspire action. Together, we can ensure that the story of the Dead Sea is not one of loss, but of life renewed.

Credit: Moshe Berenstein

From all of us at The Dead Sea Guardians – Hag Sameach

Follow Us at LinkedIn and Facebook!

We are delighted to share the tremendous success of the launch of our “Friends of the Dead Sea Guardians” chapter in Miami, FL! The series of kickoff events from January 30th to February 3rd was a resounding success, thanks to your support and participation.

Highlights from the Launch Events:

• Strategic Meetings: We had the opportunity to meet with local leaders, influencers, philanthropists, and other key stakeholders in Miami, fostering valuable connections and support for our cause.

• Great Attendance: We were thrilled to see such a fantastic turnout at all our events, demonstrating the community’s strong commitment to preserving the Dead Sea.

  • Event Details:

    • Miami Launch Reception

      • Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025

      • Location: The LAB Miami Wynwood

    • Morning Networking with Miami_Israel Collective

      • Date: Friday, January 31, 2025

      • Location: Novela Café, Miami

    • Saving the Dead Sea: Film Screening & Conversation

      • Date: Monday, February 3, 2025

      • Location: Books & Books Cinema, Coral Gables

    

    

Exciting Initiatives:

• New Podcast: We are thrilled to announce that Oded was recently hosted on Jennifer Weissmann’s Israeli Trailblazers’ podcast. Be sure to check it out for an insightful discussion on our mission and efforts.

  Listen here

• New Photography Community: The Dead Sea Guardians launched a new community of photographers dedicated to the cause of the Dead Sea, under the name “Saving the Dead Sea through the Lens of the Camera.” Stay tuned for more details!

  • 

• 3 new chapters of Friends of the Dead Sea are in the pipeline: Israel, Italy, and New York, US!

How You Can Continue to Support Us:

Join Us and Invite a Friend!

• Join the Dead Sea Guardians: Become a member and be part of our mission to protect the Dead Sea.

  Join Us

Donate & Support Our Mission

• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation: Your contributions are vital in preserving the Dead Sea and making a lasting difference.

  Donate

Amplify the Cause

• Share Our Mission: Use your personal and professional platforms to raise awareness and encourage others to join our cause.

Host an Event

• Gather Supporters: Open your home or local venue to gather like-minded supporters and raise funds for our mission.

Sponsor or Partner with Us

• Align Your Brand: Partner with us to gain visibility and demonstrate leadership in sustainability.

Introduce Key Partners

• Connect Us: Introduce us to stakeholders in your network who are passionate about environmental preservation and regional development.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our mission. Together, we can make a significant impact and secure a sustainable future for the Dead Sea.

Looking forward to seeing you at our future events.

#FriendsOfTheDeadSea

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our US chapter of the Friends of the Dead Sea initiative! We invite you to join us at a series of kickoff events in Miami, FL, from Thu. Jan. 30th - Mon. Feb. 3rd, where you can be inspired and take part in helping change the trajectory for the majestic Dead Sea.

A special thank you to our partners: Miami_Israel Collective, Miami Waterkeeper, Books & Books, and more for their support in making this possible.

Launch Events:

1. Friends of the Dead Sea: Miami Launch Reception

   • 🗓️ Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025

   • 📍 Location: The LAB Miami Wynwood

   • 🎟️ RSVP here: Launch Reception

2. Friends of the Dead Sea: Morning Networking with Miami_Israel Collective

   • 🗓️ Date: Friday, January 31, 2025

   • 📍 Location: Novela Café, Miami

   • 🎟️ RSVP here: Morning Networking

3. Saving the Dead Sea: Film Screening & Conversation

   • 🗓️ Date: Monday, February 3, 2025

   • 📍 Location: Books & Books Cinema, Coral Gables

   • 🎟️ RSVP here: Film Screening & Convo

We are excited to bring together key Dead Sea advocates, community leaders, and many exciting surprises throughout these events.

How You Can Help:

• 📌 Share this initiative and spread the word about our events.

• 📌 Donate to support the cause and help us make a lasting impact.

• 📌 Volunteer to assist with organizing and promoting the events.

Join us as we ignite a movement to protect the Dead Sea and secure its future. Together, we can make a difference! 🌍

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The Importance of Global “Friends of the Dead Sea” Chapters:

Having Friends of the Dead Sea chapters around the world is crucial. These chapters will mobilize within their own communities, raising awareness and driving local initiatives to protect the Dead Sea. By creating a global network of advocates, we can amplify our efforts and ensure that the our message reaches every corner of the globe. Together, we can make a significant impact and secure a sustainable future for this natural wonder.

Looking forward to seeing you at the launch events.

#FriendsOfTheDeadSea

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The article in the “Day that will Be newspaper”. Credit: Oded Rahav

Recently, the Dead Sea Guardians was part of an an inspiring initiative, where a imaginary newspaper from the future, titled “the Day that will Be” was circulated throughout Israel in the thousands. The idea behind this “newspaper” was to show the headlines that we wish to see as news in 2025. The newspaper, among other societal initiatives (see more articles in the “Day that will Be” at end of post), celebrates the successful restoration of the Dead Sea. This imaginative project serves as a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we work together towards a common goal.

Dead Sea Guardians founder Oded Rahav distributing copies of the “Day that will Be Newspaper”. Credit: Oded Rahav

How You Can Help Achieve this Mission

Every individual has a role to play in this mission. Here are a few ways you can contribute:

• Raise Awareness: Share information about the Dead Sea’s plight and the efforts to save it.

• Support Initiatives: Participate in or donate to the Dead Sea Guardians’ efforts to save the Dead Sea.

Donate Here

Happy Holidays - A Future Worth Fighting For

The “Newspaper from the Future” is a call to action. It challenges us to envision a world where the Dead Sea thrives once again, a testament to our collective strength and resilience. By working together, we can turn this vision into reality.

Join us in this vital mission. Together, we can write the headlines of a brighter future.

We wish you and your families Happy Holidays.

Credit: Ofir Berman

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Some more headlines we’d like to see in 2025!

⚠ Here are some important news for you to know right now:

Last week, the Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Environmental Protection published the assessment document for the upcoming tender for the Dead Sea Works concession, which will determine the future of the sea and the environment for decades to come.

What is missing from the document (and must be included)?

📢 Transparency and information: The state is currently dependent on data provided by ICL, and therefore there is a need for independent and reliable access to information, one that will enable informed decisions to be made for the future of the Dead Sea. To ensure reliable oversight and transparency, the state should collect and analyze pumping data independently, and not rely solely on ICL reports, especially when large quantities also affect revenues to the state.
📢 Past agreements without sanctions: The harvest agreement signed in the past did not include sanctions in case of violations by ICL. Enforcement mechanisms must be ensured in futures.
📢 Dead Sea National Authority: There is a need to establish an objective and impartial national body that will coordinate knowledge, manage the future of the region, and coordinate between all 15 public bodies currently operating partially at sea, sometimes without any coordination.
📢 A designated fund for the rehabilitation of the Dead Sea: A state fund for the rehabilitation of the Dead Sea should be established, in which the funds received from the new concessionaire will be concentrated, the sole purpose of which is the rehabilitation of the sea.
📢 Mining restrictions: It is important to set quotas and restrictions on future mining in order to preserve the Dead Sea for future generations. In most other advanced countries there are mines that are closed to allow nature to be restored.
📢 Cross-border cooperation: Coordination with the Kingdom of Jordan is essential for the rehabilitation of the sea, since mining activities in the salt basin also affect the water level, and comprehensive rehabilitation cannot be achieved without cooperation with all bordering countries. This is also actually a strategic opportunity for Israel.

📣 Time is running out! The sea has receded and is disappearing.
Now is the time to speak out for the future of the Dead Sea – don't miss your opportunity to make an impact.

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A Reservist’s View on the Dead Sea

In Nov. 2023, Nathan, one of the volunteers in the DSG, performed reserves duty near Jericho for over a month and a half. What follows is a slightly edited journal that he wrote after the experience:

Miluim, the Dead Sea and what lies between.

I've held back from writing about my experiences in miluim during this war. After all, I only did 43 days starting in November and served in a relatively quiet sector in the northern Dead Sea and Jericho region.

Better minds than mine have written oceans of ink about the war, their experiences in Gaza or the Lebanese border, what the end game of all this is for Israel, the Jewish people and the geopolitical landscape. And while I have my own views, קטונתי to add one more post.

But I do feel compelled to write about a topic close to my heart, and the hearts of many people around the world, that always seems to be overshadowed. And that is the Dead Sea.

During my time on miluim, the Dead Sea served as a constant companion on the many hours spent on patrol guarding the kibbutzim and yishuvim of the area. Its still blue waters a shocking contrast to the surrounding area. I found my eyes constantly drawn to the amazing spectacle of sunrises and sunsets over the Dead Sea, where the interplay of light and shadow created scenes of unimaginable beauty. It was surreal to think that once again Jewish soldiers were patrolling the Dead Sea, in the same areas where David hid from King Saul and the Jewish rebels at Masada made their last desperate stand against Rome.

Credit: Nathan Japhet

But I couldn't also help but notice the plain fact of its disappearance. It was easy to see the additional drop in water level even in the year or two since I had last been to the Sea. The apocalyptic landscape of thousands of sinkholes continues to develop while the fact that the Sea has declined by over a 1/3rd in surface area seems to not bother a soul.

Since I've been back I've seen multiple initiatives being run by released miliumnikim (reservists) addressing some of the deepest and challenging issues facing Israeli society, such as stopping polarization and the need for comprehensive political and societal reform. And I couldn't agree more with these initiatives.

But if we're going to remain unified, if we're going to make Israel better, into the only place we'd like our children to grow up in, then it must begin here, with the most basic of needs: to protect our Land for future generations. Saving the Dead Sea is something we can all agree on - right, left, secular, religious, Jew. Arab. In a time of intense polarization this might be one of the most consensus issues. And yet currently we're failing.

For decades, we've ignored this natural wonder that lies in our backyard. Ignored this jewel of a resource. Ignored the massive potential for tourism, economic development and more. The lower Jordan River and the Dead Sea have suffered from our own failed “conception” that there is nothing to be done or יהיה בסדר.

But there now exists a real plausible solution to stabilize the water level in the Dead Sea and preserve it, not just for ourselves and future generations, but to prove to ourselves that we are one nation and together we're capable of achieving anything.

In these very days, the Knesset is debating the new mining rights to the Dead Sea factories tender. This provides a small but vital window of opportunity. The Dead Sea Guardians, the group I volunteer for, proposes adding an “extract and restore” addendum to the current licensing agreement, which would require the winning tender to fund the transfer of additional desalinated water, approximately 200M m3 per year, and financially support restoration activities.

With an improved tender and 700M3 of water flowing down the lower Jordan River (300 from the Kinneret and 400 from treated wastewater) annually, we can finally stabilize the water levels of the Dead Sea. This is eminently achievable. Difficult but achievable.

And it's our last chance to preserve the Dead Sea as we know it.

In one of my favorite scenes from Herzl's utopian novel Altneuland, the protagonist Friedrich and Kingscourt visit the Dead Sea and Herzl describes the massive turbines generating hydroelectric power from pipes connecting the Mediterranean and Dead Sea (Yes, even at the turn of the 20th century, the architect of the Jewish state thought about the massive potential of the Dead Sea.):

“From here the tamed natural forces were conducted into electric generators, and the current sent along wires throughout all parts of the country. The "Old-New-Land" had been fructified into a garden and a home for people who had once been poor, weak, hopeless, and homeless.

"I feel myself crushed by all this greatness," sighed Friedrich, when at last he could speak.

"Not we," responded David earnestly. "We have not been crushed by the greatness of these forces-it has lifted us up!""

In these times of war, heartbreak and despair, I can think of no greater national project than this: saving the Dead Sea and by doing so we will unleash great forces which will lift us all up.

As we approach the expiration of the current tender granted to Israel Chemicals (ICL) for mineral extraction from the Dead Sea in 2030, the Israeli government has recently publicized its approach for the new tender (Hebrew). While there are some encouraging advancements, the bottom line is that the Israeli government’s decision is a death sentence for the Dead Sea!

Here’s our summary of the government’s position and our perspective on the consequences.

What’s Missing

1. Clear Goal for Stabilizing Water Levels: There is no explicit declaration that the primary goal is to stabilize the water level and save the Dead Sea. The focus remains on maximizing state revenues, with no specific targets or numbers set for water payments. The unavoidable conclusion is that the government doesn’t view the Dead Sea as a resource to be saved, but rather as a resource to be extracted. It has abandoned the Dead Sea to slowly die with this decision.

2. Allocation of Revenues for Rehabilitation: The government has not committed to allocating revenues specifically for the rehabilitation of the Dead Sea.

3. Fair State Share: The proposed 50% state share is inadequate. Compared to global standards, this is insufficient to ensure social justice and generate the necessary financial resources for saving the Dead Sea.

4. Proper Mechanisms for Revenue Calculation: There are no robust mechanisms to ensure accurate calculation of the state’s share and to address potential accounting tricks by the concessionaire.

5. Effective Enforcement Mechanism: The enforcement mechanism remains fragmented among 13 different government bodies, lacking a strong regulatory body with comprehensive oversight and enforcement capabilities.There are some Encouraging Advancements

   There are some benefits in new tender:

1. Reduction of Concession Area: The government has decided to reduce the concession area by 50%, returning 1.5% of Israel’s land area to the public. This is a significant step towards limiting the environmental impact of mineral extraction.

2. Application of Planning, Construction, and Environmental Laws: For the first time, these laws will apply to the concession area, ending the “Wild West” era where the concessionaire could operate with minimal oversight.

3. Adoption of the “Polluter Pays” Principle: This principle ensures that the concessionaire is held financially responsible for environmental damages, promoting more sustainable practices.

4. Declaration on Environmental Damages: The government has acknowledged the environmental damages caused by mineral extraction and has committed to reducing them.

5. Water Use Charges: The introduction of charges for water use aims to incentivize water conservation and ensure payment for water that evaporates during the production process.

6. Recognition of the Dead Sea’s Economic Value: The government recognizes that the Dead Sea is a significant economic asset for the concessionaire, with no cheaper or more competitive place to produce minerals.

Dead Sea Guardians’ View

While the government’s decision includes some positive steps, it falls short in several critical areas. The lack of a clear goal for stabilizing the water levels and the insufficient state share are particularly concerning. Additionally, the absence of dedicated revenues for rehabilitation and the fragmented enforcement mechanism undermine the potential for meaningful progress.

The Dead Sea Guardians urge the government to address these gaps and commit to a comprehensive plan that prioritizes the preservation of the Dead Sea over short-term economic gains. Only through concerted action and pressure will the government change course.

And this is where we need YOU. We need to amplify our voice, our activities and our reach. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to join us at the Dead Sea Guardians and together we will change the trajectory of this Sea!

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An interesting read:

In an article published by Aviv Lavi in Zman Israel in mid-August, we learn that about half of a planned barrier between Israel and Jordan has been completed, with 16 out of 30 kilometers built. The catch is that this barrier is made up completely of salt!

Courtesy of ICL

As a result of the evaporation done by the Dead Sea Works, there is a huge surplus of salt that needs to be dealt with. This is yet another example of the consequences of the receding Dead Sea and the urgency to reverse the trend.

Dear Guardians,

A housekeeping note: After a nearly year-long hiatus, DSG is back to publishing its monthly newsletter. The pause was due mainly to the events of the past year - but now we’re determined to keep our community informed of our activities, no matter what’s happening in the background.

The Dead Sea needs saving now and for that reason, we plan to continue to share our exciting updates and achievements from the past months.

Highlights

• Nexus Summit 2024: We are proud to announce that our co-founder, Oded, presented at the 2024 Nexus Summit on June 29th.

  

  His presentation highlighted our ongoing efforts and the critical importance of international cooperation in saving the Dead Sea. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and we have garnered new support and partnerships from this prestigious event.

• In the Press: We’re proud to announce that Oded was recently chosen to be a member international of The Explorers Club!

  • For the past 118 years, The Explorers Club has been dedicated to advancing field research, scientific exploration, resource conservation, and preserving the instinct to explore.
    
    The club's mission is to inspire exploration and protect wild places, from our backwoods to our oceans, mountain peaks, and even distant galaxies, while sustaining a spirit of fellowship among explorers and the scientific community.

    

• Stay in Touch: Please follow the Dead Sea Guardian’s LinkedIn and Facebook pages

Get Involved

Join us in our mission to save the Dead Sea. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word, every action counts. Together, we can make a difference.

Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for your unwavering support.

With gratitude,

The Dead Sea Guardians Team

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In an important conference hosted by the Israeli Minister of Environmental Protection Mrs. Idit Silman at the Dead Sea & Arava Research Center on Tue. 16.5, the DSG was invited to present its vision for saving the Dead Sea.

Credit: עוז שכטר לע"מ

Former MK and co-founder of the DSG, Miki Rosenthal presented our vision of stabilizing the Dead Sea via increased flow of water in the Southern Jordan River.

Credit: עוז שכטר לע"מ

In addition, another member of the DSG, Mrs. Yael Maor, presented the local residents of the area’s viewpoint as a resident of Kibbutz Kalia.

Credit: עוז שכטר לע"מ

A welcome commitment from the Ministry of Environmental Protection

We welcome the Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman's comments and commitment to placing this issue at the top of the Ministry of Environmental Protection's priorities. Furthermore, we were pleased that the Ministry’s CEO Guy Samet declared at the end of conference that the Ministry of Environmental Protection will present an action plan for the Dead Sea’s future by the end of 2023.

The conference is an important milestone in our efforts to pressure decision makers to adopt a workable solution to saving the Dead Sea. Furthermore, being a leading voice at this conference was a testament to the growing influence of DSG on the issue of the Dead Sea.

To continue our efforts to save the Sea, we need your support. Please consider donating today

Donate Here

אם קיבלת את המייל הזה בפעם הראשונה, אכפת לך מים המלח. והגעת אלינו מרשימת מיילים של ח”כ לשעבר מיקי רוזנטל. והנה הודעה ממנו:

בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר חַיָּב אָדָם לִרְאוֹת אֶת עַצְמוֹ כְּאִלּוּ הוּא יָצָא מִמִּצְרַיִם.

"In every generation one must see himself as though he came out of Egypt” (Exodus 13:8)

This year we experienced the meaning of this expression.

Freedom, equality, and justice are apparently not so obvious.

And as far as the nature around us is concerned, these terms mostly do not exist.

Until recently, the term ‘environmental justice’ was almost never used, and if it was spoken or applied, it was often perceived by the public as a favour being done to nature, carried out by a minority of extremists for that cause.

One must understand and internalize - we humans are part of nature and without nature we cannot exist.

The great effort being made these days to save the Dead Sea, the Jordan River and the surrounding area is no small matter.

We live in a challenging region and this task is complex, but if we seek to live here and prosper, then it is our duty to make sure that this region will be healthy, fruitful, and prosperous. This is not a ‘nice to have’ mission but first and foremost a strategic vision.

The Dead Sea, the lowest place on the planet, and the Jordan River, its umbilical cord and a sacred place for billions, have been for decades long forgotten!

Just imagine how this majestic Sea has been abused, and there has not been a single day since the dawn of our history in which we gave back to it in return.

Only exploitation has this Sea experienced; it is its reality, and the effects of the damage to it and its environment - who knows?

The vision of the 'Dead Sea Guardians' organization - A healthy and prosperous Dead Sea thanks to the actions we take today.

The organization took upon itself to change reality and create a new one, one that gives hope to millions of people.

In the last year we joined forces and established a coalition of environmental organizations for the Dead Sea. We embarked on an outreach and education campaign (educational institutions, organizations, business companies in Israel and abroad). A committee of advisors and experts was established and soon we will embark on several campaigns. We have an orderly and clear plan that we will implement during the coming year.

The people of the organization, along with its many partners and volunteers, view themselves as if they left Egypt, crossed the sea, crossed the Jordan River, and reached the promised land, and are now giving back in return. In our actions today we will create a good and stable future, for our sons, daughters, our neighbors, and the mighty nature around us.

By doing so, together, the people of this country in all its nuances will learn to act together for a sublime and moral goal. This in and of itself is a worthy goal and a path to take.

We are grateful and glad that you are our partner, and we will be thankful for any assistance and support, until our goal is reached.

We wish you a meaningful Passover,

Oded Rahav

Founder & CEO
Dead Sea Guardians

The best time to save the Dead Sea was 20 years ago.

The next best time is now.

Your donation to the 'Guardians of the Dead Sea' will greatly help in materializing our vision.

To donate - https://bit.ly/donate-to-dead-sea-guardians

 Photos - Northern Dead Sea, same spot, day & night.

English follows

שומרי ים המלח גאים להכריז על הקמת קואליציה להצלת ים המלח

הקואליציה הוקמה על ידי המקים שלנו עודד רהב, ח”כ לשעבר מיקי רוזנטל ושרון בנגיו מאקו-פיס והיא מורכת מארגונים רבים, שכולם מסורים לאיחוד כוחות כדי ליצור מומנטום, לספק תקווה ולחולל שינוי להצלת ים המלח. למיטב ידיעתנו, זו הפעם הראשונה שבה קואליציה רחבה כל כך של שותפים מאוחדת סביב המטרה של הצלת ים המלח.

ראה כאן לכתבה מוואלה על ההודעה שלנו ולמטה ההודעה לעתונות

The Dead Sea Guardians is proud to announce the formation of a coalition dedicated to saving the Dead Sea!

The coalition was formed and will be led by our co-founder Oded Rahav, former MK Miki Rozental and Sharon Benjio of EcoPeace. It is made up of multiple organizations, all of whom are dedicated to joining forces to create momentum, provide hope to and effect change to save the Dead Sea. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time such a broad coalition of partners have come together with the shared purposes of saving the Dead Sea.

The announcement of the coalition has already received some press coverage in Israel (see here). The organizations in the coalition are:

• Dead Sea Guardians שומרי ים המלח

• EcoPeace Middle East

• EcoOcean

• Green Course מגמה ירוקה

• Lobby 99

• Saving the Dead Sea (Miki Rozental) מצילים את ים המלח

• Sustainable Desert מדבר קיימא

• Sviva (Life & Environment) חיים וסביבה

• Zalul צלול

We’re looking forward to doing big things together.

לקריאה בעברית, נא תגלגל/י למטה בבקשה - תודה

What we’ve been up to

The DSG team has had an extremely busy past two months. We continued raising awareness of the Dead Sea, leading to some dramatic announcements and victories. Read below to find out!

But before you get there, we're happy to announce that we’ve upgraded our website to allow for Dead Sea Guardians and supporters more easily donate to the cause. Go check out our website, where now you can more easily find the donation links.

Donate here

Israeli Environmental Minister Adopts DSG’s Proposed Solution

In a small, but important milestone, outgoing environmental minister Tamar Zandberg, officially “recommended” her office to adopt the “Northern option”*. DSG is proud that its efforts bore fruit in influencing the minister to publish her recommendations.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time than an Israeli official has recommended rehabilitating the Jordan river as the way to save the Dead Sea. While it is only a “recommendation”, and the minister will not be in the new Israeli government, it still an important step in the right direction. You can see the minister’s Nov. 16th tweet (Hebrew), where she writes in #3:

*The DSG Solution - the “Northern Option”

As a quick reminder: until now, the Israeli government has proposed that the long-term solution to saving the Dead Sea was to advance the building of a canal from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. This would’ve been unfeasible economically & politically and harmful environmentally.

DSG’s solution calls for desalinated Mediterranean water to be pumped into the Sea of Galilee, allowing for water to flow into, and rehabilitate, the lower Jordan River, and thus stabilize the Dead Sea’s water level. This Med - Sea of Galilee - Jordan River option, colloquially known as the “Northern” Option, is what the minister refers to.

Updates

• Founder Oded Rahav presented at the Global Wellness Summit on November 3rd, an unique and important conference consisting of outstanding leaders from 40+ countries. It was a great opportunity to convey DSG’s message and to show how activism goes hand in hand with wellness, for the sake of nature and generations to come. We’re continuing to engage with the leaders we met at the summit and collaborate with them moving forward.

• DSG marked November 15th which is the official day for the Dead Sea and the anniversary of the historic 2016 swim across the Sea.

  

• The DSG film continues to be screened all over the world, engaging more audiences and continuing to grow our movement. The film has been screened in the following places and dates in the past month alone:

  • 4.11 Centre Film Festival

    6.11 Rutgers JFF

    6.11 Other Israel FF, Meyerson JCC, NYC

    15.11 Hong Kong JFF

    15.11 Australia JFF

    19.11 Kendal Mountain Festival

• We set up a poster at the “Date Festival” פסטיבל התמר, which took place at the Dead Sea in mid-October and featured some of Israel’s top artists, to gain some valuable exposure:

  

• On November 7, on the occasion of the opening of the COP27 climate conference, the Davidson Institute for Science Education of the Weizmann Institute of Science screened our film. They also devoted an entire panel to the subject of the Dead Sea and our vision to save this special space.

  

Please share our progress and vision with your friends and help us reach our vision of one million Dead Sea Guardians.

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We must save this place before it is too late. The best time to save the Dead Sea was 20 years ago. The next best time is NOW.

Become a Guardian

מה עשינו

צוות DSG היה מאד עסוק בחודשיים האחרונים. המשכנו בפעילות העלאת המודעות לים המלח, מה שהוביל לכמה הכרזות וניצחונות דרמטיים. קראו למטה כדי לגלות!

רגע לפני שאתם מגיעים לשם: אנחנו שמחים לבשר ששדרגנו את האתר הרשמי כדי לאפשר לשומרי ים המלח ולתומכים לתרום בקלות רבה יותר למען המטרה. מוזמנים להכנס לאתר.

תרמו כאן

שרת הסביבה מאמצת את הפתרון המוצע על ידי DSG

אבן דרך חשובה- השרה (היוצאת) להגנת הסביבה, הגב' תמר זנדברג, המליצה רשמית ללשכתה לאמץ את "המתווה הצפוני". אנחנו גאים בכך שמאמצינו נשאו פרי בהשפעה על השרה לפרסם את המלצותיה.

למיטב ידיעתנו, זו הפעם הראשונה שגורם ישראלי רשמי ממליץ לשקם את נהר הירדן כדרך להצלת ים המלח. אמנם זו בגדר "המלצה", והשרה לא תהיה בממשלת ישראל החדשה, אך יחד עם זאת מדובר בצעד חשוב בכיוון הנכון. אתם יכולים לראות את הציוץ של השרה מה-16 בנובמבר, שם היא כותבת בסעיף #3:

*פתרון DSG - "החלופה הצפונית"

תזכורת מהירה: ממשלת ישראל הציעה עד כה שכי פתרון ארוך הטווח להצלת ים המלח הוא לקדם בניית תעלה מים סוף לים המלח. זה תכנית שאין לה התכנות כלכלית או גיאופוליטית ויש בה כדי להזיק לסביבה.

הפתרון של DSG קורא  להזרים מים מותפלים מהים התיכון לכנרת, ומשם, לאחר שהוקצתה הכמות הנדרשת לממלכת ירדן, לאפשר למים לזרום בדרכים טבעיות לנהר הירדן התחתון ולשקם אותו, ובכך לייצב את מפלס המים של ים המלח. אופציית ים תיכון - כנרת - נהר הירדן זו, הידועה בכינויה "החלופה הצפונית", היא זו שהשרה מתייחסת אליה.

עדכונים

• מייסד הארגון, עודד רהב הציג בוועידת ה Wellness העולמית ב-3 בנובמבר, כנס ייחודי וחשוב המורכב ממנהיגים מצטיינים מ-40+ מדינות. זו הייתה הזדמנות נהדרת להעביר את המסר של DSG ולהראות כיצד אקטיביזם הולך יד ביד עם בריאות, למען הטבע והדורות הבאים. אנחנו ממשיכים להיות בקשר עם המנהיגים שפגשנו בפסגה ולשתף איתם פעולה בהמשך.

• DSG ציינה את ה-15 בנובמבר שהוא היום הרשמי של ים המלח ויום השנה לאירוע ההיסטורי של חציית ים המלח בשחייה שהתקיימה ב 2016.

• הסרט DSG ממשיך להיות מוקרן בכל רחבי העולם, מושך קהלים נוספים וממשיך להגדיל את התנועה שלנו. הסרט הוקרן במקומות ובתאריכים הבאים בחודש האחרון בלבד:

  • 4.11 פסטיבל הסרטים המרכזי

  • 6.11 ראטגרס JFF

  • 6.11 ישראל האחרת FF, מאירסון JCC, ניו יורק

  • 15.11 הונג קונג JFF

  • 15.11 אוסטרליה JFF

  • 19.11 פסטיבל הר קנדל

ב 28-11 יוקרן הסרט בערוץ ARTE היוקרתי (גרמניה וצרפת)

• בפסטיבל "התמר", שהתקיים בים המלח באמצע אוקטובר והציג כמה מהאמנים המובילים בישראל, הוצגו כרזות של הארגון ובכך זכינו לחשיפה ולרתימה של קהל

• ב-7 בנובמבר, הוקרן הסרט "שומרי ים המוות" כיריית הפתיחה של ועידת האקלים COP27, מכון דוידסון לחינוך מדעי הזרוע החינוכית של מכון ויצמן למדע. בהמשך לכך התקיים פאנל מקצועי שהוקדש כל כולו לנושא ים המלח ולחזון שלנו להציל את המרחב המיוחד הזה.

הנכם מוזמנים להמשיך ולשתף את התכנית שלנו עם חבריכם. יחז נגשים את החזון שלנו להציל את ים המלח.

הירשם עכשיו

הזמן הטוב ביותר להציל את ים המלח היה לפני 20 שנה. הזמן הטוב ביותר הבא הוא עכשיו.

הפוך לשומר ים המלח

As the Jewish New Year 5783 descends upon us, we at the Dead Sea Guardians would like to wish all of our supporters a happy Shana Tovah (New Year)!

May this year be the one when our message is heard by the governments of the region and the peoples of the world. May this upcoming year mark the beginning of the long journey to save a river and a Sea for future generations. May this be the year when we will realize our vision of seeing the once-mighty Jordan, which “overflowed all its banks all the time of the harvest” (Joshua 3:15, JPS), flow freely again from the Sea of Galilee into the Dead Sea.

This is the year where we will save the Dead Sea.

The time is now and we need your support. Become a Dead Sea Guardian today - and sign up your family and friends as well.

Sign Up Here

From our families to yours, wishing you all a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.

Sincerely,

The Dead Sea Guardians team

October Film Screenings:

• October 5th - Falmouth Jewish Congregration, US

• October 5-9th - Chagrin Documentary Film Festival, US

• October 6th - Gainesville JFF, US

• October 18-19th - Jewish Culture Days, Czech Republic

Interested in hosting a film screening? Please reach out to us at deadseaguardians@gmail.com

• Updated Dead Sea water level to July 1st, 2022: -436.99 meters below sea level - and dropping.

• The Dead Sea recedes by 1.2 meters every year and has already lost over 30% of its historic surface area.

• There are ~7,000 sinkholes - and counting.

Help us save the Jordan River and Dead Sea - become a Dead Sea Guardian today!

Join Us!

August Updates:

Engaging with local stakeholders in the Dead Sea

Over August, the DSG team met with residents in several local kibbutzim in the Dead Sea area. As the people most affected by the ongoing disaster, they have the greatest interest in saving the sea for future generations. The purpose of our visits was to present out solution and enlist the residents to the cause.

Photo credit: Oded Rahav

Interacting with the public in the Dead Sea area.

The DSG team has begun to work on a plan to engage the public, both local and international tourists, who come to visit the Dead Sea at various attractions such as Ein Gedi, Kalia beach and others.

Various ideas are being explored such as selling T-shirts, placing signs, billboards and brochures and others to explain the Dead Sea’s situation and how they can get involved in the DSG’s vision to save the Dead Sea via the rehabilitation of the Jordan River.

We’re also in the midst of updating our website to better tell our story.

DSG’s opposition to the Ministry of Environmental Protection’s policy paper on the Dead Sea.

On June 20th, the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection published a policy paper (Hebrew) outlining it’s long term vision for saving the Dead Sea. In it, the ministry publicly supports reviving what is commonly nicknamed the Red - Dead solution. In short, the plan calls for desalinating water from the Red Sea, sending the freshwater to the Kingdom of Jordan and transporting the brine to the Dead Sea.

This plan, which has been around for decades, is unworkable for many reasons, including environmental, political and economic ones. To list just a few: potential pollution of fragile Red Sea corals, environmental impact of mixing two bodies of very different water qualities and a price tag that runs into the tens of billions of dollars - and to top it all off, the amount of brine called for in the solution won’t even stop the decline in the Dead Sea’s water level.

In response to the ministry’s decision, the DSG, along with experts and residents of kibbutzim in the Dead Sea area, publicly submitted our opposition to the ministry’s position paper. We called on the ministry to examine the solution we propose - which they ignored to do in their paper - and to adopt it as a real solution to the future of the Dead Sea. One of the DSG’s major goals is to convince both the Israeli public and government to adopt our Sea of Galilee - Jordan River - Dead Sea outline as official policy for the Dead Sea’s future.

Qasr al-Yahud. Photo credit: Oded Rahav

For more information on this story, please read Nir Hasson’s excellent article in Haaretz (Hebrew).

Read the "Crazy about the Dead Sea” article by ד"ר אורית אנגלברג-ברעם

Read an excellent article here about activists about the Dead Sea, including our own Oded Rahav, his swim across it and the DSG project. The article is linked below and is in Hebrew.

עודד רהב בעין גדי, צילום אורי סלע

המשוגעים של ים המלח

How can you get involved?

1. We must raise awareness of the plight of the Dead Sea. To do so, please follow and share our social media posts (follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook and Instagram). Share and invite your friends and family to follow us as well.

2. Host a film screening! There is no better way to explain the situation than by the screening the film in your local community/school/religious center. Please be in touch with us at deadseaguardians@gmail.com for more information on how to screen the film.

3. Want to volunteer with us on a more regular basis? Fill out the signup form below to let us know of your skills and connections and how, together, we can leverage them for the DSG campaign.

Signup form

1. Donate:

   The Dead Sea Guardian movement depends on your generous tax-exempt donations to wage its campaign. Any support is greatly appreciated.

Donate here

1. Buy our T-shirts! (You can find the link for buying the T-shirts in the Signup form above)

• Updated Dead Sea water level to July 1st, 2022: -436.99 meters below sea level - and dropping.

• The Dead Sea recedes by 1.2 meters every year and has already lost over 30% of its historic surface area. There are ~7,000 sinkholes - and counting.

  

Official Campaign Kickoff: A Moonshot to Save a River & Sea within a Decade

In the aftermath of our film about the successful Dead Sea swim, founder Oded Rahav realized that it must lead to concrete actions - actions which will lead to the rehabilitation of the Jordan River and stabilization of the Dead Sea.

Over the course of the past year, Oded and the DSG team have met with multiple stakeholders, investors, volunteers, artists, and, frankly, anyone who is interested in this issue to lay the foundation for a civilian movement to save the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.

On Monday June 27th, all of the hard work paid off when we officially launched our campaign. The event took place amongst an intimate setting of friends and supporters at the home of Lior Segev in Ranaana, an early DSG supporter.

The first speaker of the night was none other than Oded, who called for what he described as a moonshot to save the Dead Sea within a decade. This moonshot will begin by building an international movement of 1 million Guardians to pressure decision makers to adopt our solution and stabilize the Dead Sea.

The attendees listened to presentations outlining the various details of the current situation, how we got here, and what our solution calls for. The fact that, for the first time, a group of citizens from across the world initiated a movement to save the Sea lent the night an incredible energy and electric atmosphere that all attendees felt.

In the coming weeks, our movement’s leadership will be meeting to set up working groups related to the different aspects of the campaign: social media, donations, public policy, film screenings and much more.

Please contact us to learn more about how can you participate in the campaign.

How can I get involved?

One of the most common questions we get asked is how can people get involved. The answer is that we need your support and there are multiple ways in which you can help us:

1. We must raise awareness of the plight of the Dead Sea. To do so, please follow and share our social media posts (follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook and Instagram). Share and invite your friends and family to follow us as well.

2. Host a film screening! There is no better way to explain the situation than by the screening the film in your local community/school/religious center. Please be in touch with us at deadseaguardians@gmail.com for more information on how to screen the film.

3. Want to volunteer with us on a more regular basis? Fill out the signup form below to let us know of your skills and connections and how, together, we can leverage them for the DSG campaign.

   Signup form

4. Donate:

   The Dead Sea Guardian movement depends on your generous tax-exempt donations to wage its campaign. Any support is greatly appreciated.

   Donate here

5. Buy our T-shirts! (You can find the link for buying the T-shirts in the Signup form above)

Film:

• The film was screened in multiple locations in Israel over the month of July including in Savion on the 12th and more.

• The Dead Sea Guardian film is continuing to be shown at the Doc Edge film festival in NZ.

Interested in hosting a screening of the film? Please reach out to us at deadseaguardians@gmail.com to find out how.

• The Dead Sea Guardian film is continuing to gather momentum and has been screened in multiple film festivals around the world, winning multiple awards.

  • We’re proud to announce that we received a “Special Jury Award” from the Riviera International Film festival in Italy.

  • Official selection from the New Zealand docedge 2022 film festival

• The movement is continuing to build its multi-disciplinary team to put the action plan into place. In June, we’ll be holding an invite-only internal event to kick our campaign into high gear. More information on this soon.

• Governmental updates - DSG participated in the Israeli Knesset committee’s hearing on the Dead Sea Works factory upcoming license expiry in 2030. Israel’s environmental minister, MK Tamar Zandberg, headed the committee hearing and came out with a clear call that the Dead Sea is a public resource first and not just a cash cow for Israel Chemicals (ICL).

  We applaud the minister’s stance but now expect concrete action.

Facts and Figures:

• Updated Dead Sea water level: -436.78 meters below sea level - and dropping.

• The Dead Sea recedes by 1.2 meters every year and has already lost over 30% of its historic surface area.

• Amount of Dead Sea sinkholes: ~ 10,000 - and growing.

Who we are:

The DSG movement is composed of leading activists, scientists, policy makers, artists, entrepreneurs and others from around the world with one goal in mind: saving the natural wonder of the Dead Sea via rehabilitation of the Jordan River.

• Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter below.

• Share the message with friends and family!

• Interested in joining our team? :

Contact us at our website

Our Plan - The Dead Sea Guardians’ plan calls for stabilizing the level of the Dead Sea and saving the lower Jordan river via the release of water from the Kinneret lake.

The plan is a carefully researched one which takes multiple considerations into account and is based on the following principles:

1. Increasing the amount of desalination from the Mediterranean Sea

2. Transporting the desalinated water to the Sea of Galilee

3. Releasing water from the Sea of Galilee into the Jordan River.

   This will rehabilitate the Jordan River which currently only carries 10% of its historic flow, and this mainly consisting of treated sewage. Our plan will revitalize the river, its flora and fauna and, most importantly, stabilize the Dead Sea.

Our comprehensive plan takes into account that the Dead Sea is a regional water source and must be treated accordingly. We advocate for a nature-based solution that is appropriate for the water resources of the region, is sustainable and actually implementable.

What is at stake:

A wonder of the natural world, the Dead Sea and the Jordan river are the heritage of humanity with religious, natural and historical significance for the three monotheistic religions and peoples of the region.

If we don’t act NOW, this incredible resource will disappear in our lifetime.

Donate:

The Dead Sea Guardian movement depends on your generous tax-exempt donations to wage its campaign. Any support is greatly appreciated.

Donate here

Upcoming events:

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