Water Politics with Israel’s Neighbors Leighanne Oh

Israel And Its Water Wars In the last 40 years, there have been 21 armed disputes over water in the Middle East, 18 of them involving Israel  Where?  Jordan River  Coastal Aquifer  Western & Eastern Mountain Aquifer  Why?  Inequality in power  Inequality in innovation  Foreseen need

#1: Inequality In Power The 1993 Oslo Peace Agreement that allocated 80% of the water pumped from the mountain aquifer to Israel while only 20% to the Palestinians meters of saturated substratum Mostly go to benefit ~ 8 million Israeli citizens Oslo was suppose to extend only for 5 years Palestinians get ~ 75% of stipulated quota from Accord

#2: Inequality In Innovation Israel has invested and exponentially developed their technology on recycling water while the Palestinians have not. Israel recycles 80% of used water that mostly goes to agriculture 80% ~ 400 million cubic meters a year ~ ratio 4 times greater than any other country Growing into $1 bn industry Example technology: WWTC Desalination of seawater Bacterial sewage scrubbers Computerized dribble detectors

# 3: Inequality in immediate need There is a huge growing need in both populations. However, Israel has shown that water is a population and economic driver.  Economic  58% of water goes to agriculture that is a large driver to generate revenue as exports  Saw huge economic shift in during drought  Population  Current population of 8 million  By 2025, theorized to have 4 times as much  The Palestinian side  Average water consumption in the West Bank for domestic, urban, and industrial purposes is approximately 73 liters per person/per day

Current Predicament West Bank Usage International Law Israeli Actions (no drilling) Water and Walls

Thank you Questions? 7 7