The Israeli-Palestinian Water Conflict

Though the Middle East represents 5% of the world's population, it possesses only .9% of the world's water. Middle Eastern countries average only 1200 cubic meters of fresh water, per capita, each year compared to the average of 7000 cubic meters throughout the rest of the world. Coupled with rising political and religious tension, the water crisis in the Middle East is becoming more of a problem every day. One area in particular in which water is a major source of conflict is the Israeli-Palestinian region. Every year, Israel pumps approximately 200 million more cubic meters of groundwater than the water cycle can replenish. Israel predicts it will require 60% more water than what is currently available from fresh and ground water sources to meet the needs of a growing population and economy by the year 2020. Currently, Israel proposes to solve the region's water crisis through desalination. Desalination is a process that removes the salt from saltwater thereby changing it into water suitable for drinking. Israel is now calling upon the world, and specifically the U.S., to fund this endeavor. At a hearing on this matter before the House of Representatives Committee on International Relations, Uri Shamir, director of water research for the Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, stated, "The plant will be funded by the world for the Palestinians. Israel will not be willing to carry this burden, and the Palestinians are not able to."

Why should the U.S. oppose the funding of desalination plants in Israel?

· Several sources have speculated that Israel's thriving economy could certainly afford the $0.50 per cubic meter cost of desalination.

· After Israel began the occupation of Palestinian lands, it created a law that mandated all water resources on private property were now public domain and controlled by the Civil Administration.

· In 1982, Israel finalized the process of privatizing water resources in occupied territories by enlisting Mekorot, an Israeli water company, to manage the situation.

· Israel occupation forces have been accused of including wells that had been previously pumped in security areas, inaccessible to Palestinians.

· Wells in security areas require special clearance that is disproportionately granted to Israeli settlers.
· Israel has had the option of importing water from Turkey, but disregarded it in favor of using water from Palestinian lands.

· Water installations and deeper wells among Israeli's have led to increased depletion of water resources for Palestinians.

· A considerable amount of water is squandered by collateral damage from shelling a bulldozing pipelines caused by the Israel army.

· To spite their water shortage complaints, Israeli's continue to maintain swimming pools, a luxury that most if not all Palestinians cannot attain.

· Though both share water resources, Israelis consume 321 cubic meters of water per capita while Palestinians retain only 35 cubic meters.

· In 2002, 59.2% of water resources were allocated for Israeli agriculture though agriculture generates only 2% of Israel's Gross National Product.

· While Israel's economy gathers only 2% of it's Gross National Product from agriculture, Palestinians rely heavily on agriculture as a source of income, yet receives little water to sustain agriculture.

· A lack of water resources is a serious threat to the possibility of Palestinian statehood.

· Israel has proposed the construction of desalination plants so that Israelis can have access to fresh and ground water in the West Bank providing Palestinians only a guarantee that the desalted water from these plants can pass safely across Israel lands.

· If Palestinians were to receive their water from desalination plants, they would have to pay $1 per cubic meter, which most Palestinians would not be able to afford.

· Palestinians have been denied rights to create new wells and fix old wells throughout the 40 years of occupation of the West Bank.

· Palestinians claim as much as 80% of their groundwater is being stolen by Israelis every day.

· Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who are restricted to receiving their water from small wells will have no drinkable water in the next 15 years due to salt water pollution of fresh water.

What can you do?

· Join a listserv that focuses on Israeli-Palestinian issues and raise the question of funding desalination plants.

· Educate friends, family, and co-workers on the impact of Israelis on Palestinian water resources.

· Write your Representatives and Senators and urge them to end the funding of desalination plants in Israel.

· Create and distribute materials regarding the abuse of Palestinian water resources in Israel.