Ben-Gurion University of the Negev the Jacobblaustein Institutes For
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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research The Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies The Environmental Movement in Israel Strategic Analyses Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of "Master of Science" By: Shira Leon Zchout 12 November, 2013 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research The Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies The Environmental Movement in Israel Strategic Analyses Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of "Master of Science" By: Shira Leon Zchout Under the Supervision of Professor Alon Tal Department of Desert Ecology / Environmental Studies Author's Signature Date November 11, 2013 Approved by the Supervisor Date: November 11, 2013. Approved by the Director of the School …………… Date ………….… The Environmental Movement in Israel Strategic Analyses Shira Leon Zchout This thesis is in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Science Ben-Gurion University of the Negev The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research The Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies 2013 Abstract: In the face of environmental challenges, the Israeli environmental movement works to bring awareness to the public agenda, remove hazards and prevent future risks. This research examines the strategies applied by the Israeli ENGOs based on two theoretical models. First, it aims to characterize the relationship between resources and strategy, based upon the Resource Mobilization Theory . Second, the research examines the relationship between the state and Israel's environmental movement. Based on theories of Political Opportunities, the study assesses the most effective ways that civil society influence Israel's environmental policies. A survey was conducted among the organizations belonging to Israel's environmental movement in which a total of 85 ENGOs participated. Interviews were conducted with more than 30 relevant observers: ENGO leaders, academic experts, and former Director Generals of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. To examine the relationship between resources and strategy ENGOs were divided between two strategic characteristics: inclusive to the state and exclusive to the state. In other words organizations that work within the system to achieve results and those who attempt to influence by being critical outsiders. A systematic index was developed as a tool for the division, based on survey questions. Results revealed 57 inclusive ENGOs and 28 exclusive ENGOs. Strategic groups were compared upon several measurements of resources and a profile was built on each group. Results show exclusive ENGOs operate with a more grassroots orientation and inclusive ENGOs are more professionalized in their style. Exclusive ENGOs operate primarily in the local arena; they are mainly neighborhood based or work with communities at risks. Inclusive ENGOs appear more stable, they tend to be larger in annual budget and paid staff but smaller in registered members and active affiliates. Exclusive ENGOs are more dependent on volunteers for activity, while inclusive ENGOS more specifically utilize volunteers for professional work and advice. Inclusive ENGOs appear to have a wider variety of income sources; higher rates receiving funding from the government, from foreign country and private donations, and have developed self- reliant income sources. Exclusive ENGOs have a smaller variety of income sources and depend more on membership fees. Still, both groups are highly dependent on foundation grants. These findings imply that higher resources encourage inclusive activity and lower resources encourage exclusive activity. To characterize the relationship between the state and the ENGOs, the research examined the inclusiveness of the states towards Israel's ENGOs and the ENGO strategies in response. Results of interviews with eight former Director Generals of the Ministry of Environmental Protection suggest that the state's general attitude towards ENGOs can be characterized as "passive inclusive". According to the former director generals, the optimal strategies for civil society in the environmental sphere are a dual approach of aggressive intervention to assist in promoting legislation accompanied by discourse with efforts to coordinate when possible with the Ministry. The fact that the Ministry is open towards ENGOs, and in some cases welcomes pressure from outside actors suggests that environmental issues are still marginalized and perceived as oppositional in Israel. Hence, the inclusiveness of the movement by the state is only partial. Survey results regarding the most effective modes of action reveal more than half of the ENGOs already use such dual strategies. At the same time, a hierarchical structure of the movement was recognized, that encourages collaborations. Consistently high levels of networking were reported, revealing prevalent collaborations for dual strategy in reaction to the state. Acknowledgments This work was partially supported through a scholarship made available by the JMG foundation. I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Alon Tal, for making things happen. For providing me with the research opportunity, providing me with tools to proceed in each and every stage and for the chance to learn about the environmental movement through his inspiring viewpoint. I also thank him for his creative inputs, for setting limits and putting me back on track every time it was needed. I would like to thank Naor Yerushalmi, Director Life and Environment; all of the participants in the research, and the members of the environmental movement for providing inspiration by their dedication and hard work to make the world a better place. I would like to thank my research colleagues for completing the first phase of the research as a team. Especially, I thank Liat Osheri Frenkel, for the days and nights of work, together in starting and advancing the research; and Itai Greenspan for his systematic approach and advice. Also like to thank Dorit Levin, Assistant to the Director of AKIS. I wish to give a great thanks to Tzipora Parnassa, Ben Gurion University, for her great help with statistical analyses. After seeing her passion for "playing with the numbers" I managed to find joy in statistics as well. I would also like to thank my family and friends who accompanied me throughout the project, assisting with the children, providing advice and being our community. Especially I wish to thank my husband Joe for taking this journey with me. My accomplishment is also his. I am grateful for who he is in my life. And lastly, for my twin sons Vito and D'ror, who were born in the process and brought me new perspectives on life and joy beyond what I ever imagined. I dedicate this research to my husband Joe and my two sons, Vito and D'ror. Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................. .................................................... 1 1.1. Theoretical Background ......................................................................................... 1 1.11. Strategic Orientation of Environmental Organizations .......................................... 1 1.12. Political Opportunities and State Structure .......................................................... 6 1.13. Resource Mobilization Theory ........................................................................... 9 1.14. Impact of Discourse Frames and Identity ........................................................... 11 2. Examples of Environmental movements from Abroad ............ ........................................ 13 2.1. History of the Israeli environmental movement ............. .......................................... 30 2.2. Research Objectives ............................................................................................. 37 3. Research Method ...................................................... .................................................. 38 3.1 Israeli ENGO Survey ............................................................................................ 38 3.11 Preparation of an ENGO list ............................................................................. 38 3.12 Questionnaire Design ...................................................................................... 42 3.2 Development of an Index as a Division Tool ............................................................ 47 3.3 Complementary Qualitative Research ..................................................................... 50 4. Findings Objective 1: Analyses of strategic orientation……….. ...................................... 52 4.1. General results .................................................................................................... 52 4.2. Result of the division between inclusive and exclusive strategies ............................... 53 4.3. Results of the survey and comparison between strategic groups in several factors ........ 53 4.31. Trends of a Growing Movement ....................................................................... 53 4.32. Analyses of Size of Organizations in Four measures ........................................... 56 4.33. Strategic Orientation Analyses according to different Measures of Size ................ 66 4.34. Volunteer Dependency .................................................................................... 72 4.35. Income Sources .............................................................................................