Palestinians in the West Bank are facing a severe crisis that threatens their very existence. This crisis, however, is not caused by a natural disaster or a lack of resources. It is a man-made crisis, imposed on them by the Israeli government through their control and exploitation of all the water resources in the region.
The West Bank, a territory that is home to approximately 2.7 million Palestinians, is situated in a region with scarce water resources. The average water availability for Palestinians in the West Bank is only 73 liters per person per day, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 100 liters. In contrast, Israeli settlers living in illegal settlements in the West Bank have access to nearly 240 liters of water per person per day, three times more than their Palestinian counterparts.
The root of this crisis lies in the unequal distribution of water resources. The West Bank sits atop one of the world’s largest underground water aquifers, known as the Mountain Aquifer. However, this valuable resource is fully controlled by Israel, which uses 80% of it for its own consumption. The remaining 20% is allocated for Palestinian use, but it is distributed unfairly and disproportionately among different communities.
The Israeli government has built a complex network of pipelines, wells, and pumps that extract water from the Palestinian territories and transfer it to Israel. This systematic exploitation has caused severe water shortages in Palestinian cities and villages. Palestinians often have to rely on expensive and unreliable water sources, such as buying water from private vendors or collecting rainwater, which is not safe for consumption.
Compounding this issue is Israel’s discriminatory policies towards Palestinian water infrastructure. Palestinians are not allowed to dig new wells without a permit from the Israeli military, which is rarely granted. Similarly, they are prohibited from building new water infrastructure, including water cisterns, storage tanks, and sewage treatment facilities, without Israeli approval. This results in many communities having to live without basic sanitation and clean drinking water.
The consequences of this crisis are dire. Palestinian farmers are unable to irrigate their crops, leading to huge losses in agricultural production. Families are forced to spend a significant portion of their income on buying water, leaving them struggling to make ends meet. Unsanitary living conditions have also contributed to the spread of diseases and health issues among Palestinians, especially children.
The Israeli government justifies its control over water resources by claiming it needs to guarantee water security for its own citizens. However, this argument holds little weight when we see the vast disparities in water consumption between Israelis and Palestinians living in the same region. Furthermore, under international law, as an occupying power, Israel is responsible for ensuring the basic needs of the occupied population, including access to water.
The situation in the West Bank is further compounded by the ongoing conflict and political disputes between Israel and Palestine. This has resulted in little progress in finding a sustainable solution to the water crisis. Various attempts by international organizations and NGOs to address this issue have been met with resistance and hindrances by the Israeli government.
It is high time for the international community to take a stand and demand that Israel respects the basic human right to water for all people living in the West Bank. The United Nations, in a 2010 resolution, recognized the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a fundamental human right. It is time for this right to be recognized and upheld in the West Bank.
Moreover, the international community must hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and the human rights of Palestinians. The exploitation and control of water resources in the West Bank must be addressed as part of a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The Palestinian people have shown remarkable resilience in the face of this water crisis. They have developed innovative solutions, such as rooftop rainwater harvesting and water conservation techniques, to cope with this dire situation. However, it is time for them to receive the support and justice they deserve.
In conclusion, the water crisis in the West Bank is an injustice that cannot be ignored. It is not a natural disaster, but a man-made crisis caused by Israel’s control and exploitation of all the water resources in the region. The international community must take action and demand that Israel respects the basic human right to water for all people living in the West Bank. It is time for the Palestinian people to have equal access to the water resources under their feet.
