The Water Crisis

The region that makes up Israel and Palestine is a desert. Because of this, water sources are few and far between. In creating a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both sides want to make sure they secure enough sources of water for their people. Many farmers want to grow crops that use a lot of water, like bananas. 

​

In the 1967 war Israel took control of the West Bank and the Sea of Galilee. These sources give Israel about 60% of their current water intake. Israel and its settlements take about 80% of the water from the mountain aquifer, leaving the Palestinians with 20% of the water flow left. This is tough on Palestine and its farmers. In addition to this, when there are shortages of water, Palestinians say that their water is rationed first.

​

If there were territorial negotiations, the two sides would have to decide who controls these water sources. Controlling the water sources would be massively advantageous to a state. Both sides need a lot of water, and in a desert this could be a critical issue to solve.