Towards Critical Environmental Justice Approach in Multicultural Divided States: Lessons from the Israeli Regulative System

This article draws upon the evolving framework of the Critical
Environmental Approach in examining the conceptualization and
manifestation of the Environmental Justice approach and its pillars
within the regulatory system of multicultural and divided societies.
These are states comprised of marginalized ethnic and minority
groups that frequently face instances of social and environmental
injustice. Employing this perspective through a case study show that
gradual and anecdotic but unorganized and incoherent incorporation
of Environmental Justice pillars lacks the capacity to effectively
address long-standing historical environmental injustices and fails to
challenge the prevailing social framework. In fact, it runs the risk of
exacerbate rather than mitigating these issues. In contrast, the article
advocates for a more comprehensive approach to rectify these
injustices. This involves the complete application of Environmental
Justice pillars within well-structured, long-term strategies that take
into consideration the existing social hierarchy affecting
marginalized ethnic groups and local communities, as well as the
impact of the segregated spatial reality on these injustices.