The history of the Israeli-Palestinian water conflict

In June of 1967 the Israeli military authorities consolidated complete power over all water resources and water-related infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories after the Six Day War, which arguably had its origin in a water dispute to divert the River Jordan, Israel's main source of drinking water. Then, in November of 1967 the Israeli authorities issued Military Order 158. This stated that Palestinians could not construct any new water infrastructure without first obtaining a permit from the Israeli army, which have been nearly impossible to obtain. This order means that Palestinians are unable to drill new water wells, install pumps or deepen existing wells. They also are denied access to the Jordan River and fresh water springs and Israel also controls the collection of rainwater throughout most of the West Bank. Because of this order about 180 Palestinian communities in rural areas in the occupied West Bank have no access to running water.

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Since Military Order 158 was enacted, Israel has developed its own water infrastructure and water network in the West Bank for the use of its own citizens. Mekorot, the Israeli state-owned water company, has constructed wells and tapped springs in the West Bank to supply Israel for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes. Although Mekorot sells some water to Palestinian water utilities, the amount is still determined by the Israeli authorities. Because of these restrictions, many Palestinian communities in the West Bank have no choice but to purchase water brought in by trucks at higher prices ranging from 4 to 10 USD per cubic metre. In some of the poorest communities in Palestine, water expenses can make up half of a family’s monthly income

 

In 1995 the Oslo II Interim Agreement was enacted, which allocated 71% of the shared Mountain Aquifer water to Israel and 17% to Palestine. Today the numbers stand at Israel having access to 87% of the water resources and Palestine having access to 13%. This agreement also created the Israeli-Palestine Joint Water Committee (JWC) which has the power to approve or deny water projects in the Gaza strip, and also gave de facto veto power to Israel. The approval rate of Palestinian projects is 56% and the approval rate for Israeli projects is 100%.

 

Since 2010, Palestinians have refused to sit in the committee and although the JWC was supposed to last 5 years, it still continues into the present day. The World Bank has noted that ″The JWC has not fulfilled its role of providing an effective collaborative governance framework for joint resource management and investment... The JWC does not function as a “joint” water resource governance institution because of fundamental asymmetries - of power, of capacity, of information, of interests – that prevent the development of a consensual approach to resolving water management conflicts.″