Tree-Planting in the Negev

It has come to our attention that reports have been posted on the Internet. These reports mislead readers to believe that GOD TV may be responsible for displacement of Bedouin people in the Negev Desert in Israel. These claims are false.

Since 2008, GOD TV has been committed to sponsoring trees to be planted throughout the nation of Israel in a humanitarian and eco-friendly effort to revitalize desert land, making it more habitable for ALL people, including Jews, Arabs and the Bedouins.

For Christians around the world it is also an apostolic, prophetic act to prepare the Holy Land in expectancy of the Messiah showing their commitment to the Land of Israel to and all its people, and to make the deserts liveable once more.

To date, over 500,000 sapling trees, sponsored by GOD TV, have been planted in designated planting sites around Israel, including in the Negev Desert. This is not a political act, and therefore we do not want to become involved in political debate. As such, we cannot comment on any ongoing legal proceedings concerning the Israeli Government and the land.

What we can say is that the Israeli Government is responsible for the development of the Land of Israel in terms of any new infrastructure, including the planting of forests as any government would be. As a democracy, the Government adheres to a full democratic process, making decisions that affect its citizens including Jewish, Arabic and Bedouin communities. What the Government decides becomes law including what rights/possibilities are available to develop particular areas of land.

Therefore, no organisation can plant trees wherever they please in Israel, on any land belonging to any Beduouin, Jewish or Arab community. Such decisions are taken by the Government of Israel, according to the laws of the country. As previously stated, neither the Jewish National Fund (JNF) nor GOD TV is involved in the decision as to where trees can be planted in Israel or in the actual planting of the trees.

The Bible tells us in Isaiah 51:3 that the LORD will make Israel’s “deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.” That is our heart at GOD TV - planting trees in Israel to revitalize desert land and make it more habitable for ALL people, including the Bedouins.