The Israeli Palestinian Mountain Aquifer: a case study in ground water conflict resolution

El-Fadel, M., Quba'a, R., El-Hougeiri, N., Hashisho, Z. and Jamali, D. (2001) The Israeli Palestinian Mountain Aquifer: a case study in ground water conflict resolution. Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Education, 30, 50-61.

Abstract

The dispute between Israelis and Palestinians over shared water resources of the Mountain Aquifer is one potential obstacle in the path of peace in the Middle East. This aquifer is the only source of water for Palestinians in the West Bank and the main provider of fresh water to Israelis. The majority of its natural recharge area lies within the West Bank territories with two of its three basins flowing naturally toward Israel. In 1967, Israel occupied the West Bank and imposed strict control policies over the utilization of the Mountain Aquifer's water. At present, Palestinians and Israelis are moving toward a political resolution of their more than half a century old conflict. In the Declaration of Principles, Israelis and Palestinians created preconditions for the coming negotiations and the Israelis recognized water rights for Palestinians. There is no clear indication of the extent to which water would be under Palestinian control during the interim period, but there is an implicit recognition of the need to reform the existing water allocation system. In the Final Status Negotiations, the Joint Mountain Aquifer Committee, members from the Israeli government and the Palestinian National Authority must make decisions regarding the equitable distribution and joint management of the shared water of the Mountain Aquifer. This paper provides a decision case for a course at the graduate or senior undergraduate level based on water resources issues impacting the peace process.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Download statistics