Water Resources Management Crisis in Palestine

Water is not subject to the geographical boundaries of states. Ground and surface water cross political and geographical borders between neighboring countries, and thus water represents a source of conflict in the world. The matter in Palestine is more complicated for two reasons: first is that the water resources are cross-border sources, and second is that Israeli occupation took control over these sources. According to UN reports, Palestine faces difficulties and challenges in controlling water resources because of the Israeli occupation. This chapter aims to highlight the challenges in water management under occupation from 1948 to 2022. A quick review of the water-controlling policies that where applied during different periods showed that 79% of the water resources in Palestine exploitation of surface and groundwater under the control of the occupation, for example about 108.8 million cubic meters, 20% of the water the Palestinians buy it from the Israeli water company “Mekorot” to cover the shortage. In 2022, the share of the Palestinian per capita consumption of water reached 84.2 l per day, and 33% of this amount is lost due to leakages in the water networks. Hence, the real consumption reaches 56 l per day. The average Palestinian water resources are 1,000 million cubic meters annually, sourced from the annual rains and the Jordan River. These resources are sufficient to meet the needs of the Palestinians for the next 50 years, providing 170 l per person per day. Expanding the current irrigated areas fourfold, noting that the agricultural sector in Palestine is one of the most important economic sectors. The management of the Palestinian government in the water sector failed due to the control of the Israeli occupation over the resources, and non-recognition of the water rights of the Palestinians, there for developing this sector is very hard and it is almost difficult to make any progress under these circumstances.