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.