Forests for historical erasure

Middelhoek, N (2024) Forests for historical erasure. Master thesis, Cultural Geography - Tourism Geography and Planning (TGP).

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Abstract

This thesis investigates the role of afforestation in concealing depopulated Palestinian villages in Israel, exploring its implications for (national) identity of Palestinian and Israeli communities. By analyzing spatial data through GIS methods, conducting Monte Carlo simulations, applying spatial regression models, and supported by desk research, the study reveals statistically significant correlations between forest placement and the locations of these historical villages. Combined with desk research, the results suggest that afforestation, directed by the Israeli state and the Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), is not simply an ecological initiative but a strategic tool for concealing depopulated villages and support state goals and reinforce Zionistic narratives. The research highlights the integration of political forests with national identity formation, contributing to broader debates on political ecology in contested regions.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Name supervisor:	Rosenbergova, S. and Seddighi Khavidak, H.
Date Deposited:	20 Aug 2024 11:27
Last Modified:	20 Aug 2024 11:27
URI:	https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/551

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