15. Water Conflicts (National Water Conflicts - Israel - Is Water A Weapon? Flashcards
How much precipitation falls every year in Israel?
615mm annual rainfall
Give 2 examples of key facts relating to the conflict.
- In Gaza, Palestinians only get 2 to 3 litres per day (Gaza is polluted with sewage so water supplies are contaminated) whereas Israelis have access to 300 litres of water per day
- 87% of groundwater sources are owned by the Jews and 13% are owned by the Palestinians
What country controls the two main acquifers along the West Bank? Why has this caused conflict?
Israel controls the two main acquifers along the West Bank (The Mountain aquifer and the Coastal aquifer). The Mountain aquifer is supposed to be equitably utilised but 87% if it is used by Israel and the Israeli military has taken control of the water supply.
Where do Palestinians get their water from?
Over 80% of Palestine’s water is purchased from Israel despite Palestinian’s occupying the mountain acquifer regions.
Why is 62% of Palestinian household water undrinkable?
The Coastal acquifer is highly polluted but it is the only natural source of water for Palestinians - estimated 90,000m cubed of raw sewage enters the aquifer from Gaza
What are the main effects of the national water conflict?
- The Israeli army have destroyed more than 270 Palestinian sanitation facilities in the West Bank
- Palestinian desalination plants have been targeted by bombing from the Israeli army - reduced water security
- Palestinian people are living on 2-3 litres per day
- Some shelters for Palestinian people in the south are only able to provide 1 toilet per 600 people
- Due to the water pollution, diarrhoea kills more children than the bombing in Gaza.
What are two possible solutions to the conflict?
- 2 state solution
- UN peacekeepers sent in to manage the water conflict (small-scale)
