Approaches to Resolving the Water Conflicts Between Israel and her Neighbors—a Regional Water-for-Peace Plan

Abstract

The disputes over surface and ground water resources between Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinians are particularly acute since all three are well below the Water Stress Level of 500 cubic meters/person/ year as defined by Falkenmark. Based on currently accepted principles of international water law neither the upstream source country nor the downstream historic user country has absolute sovereign rights to control the use of international bodies of surface or ground water An accommodation, based on the principles of equitable apportionment and community of interest, considering the legitimate needs of each partner to the dispute, should be arrived at through direct negotiations. Since the total amount of water resources available is insufficient, it is a zero sum game and any attempt to find a solution by reallocation of the limited resources between the disputants is likely to lead to a deadlock. The approach proposed is to increase the size of the pie by developing a regional Water-for-Peace Plan. This would be funded by the major powers and import water from water-rich neighboring countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey, and/or desalinate seawater However, it is proposed that baseline allocations be assured for “water security” for domestic, urban, industrial and fresh food supply needs of about 125 cubic meters/person/year This should be abstracted directly within the territory of each side.