Israel, Palestinian Territories: The Glass May Be Half Empty When It Comes to a New Water Agreement.
Israel and the Palestinian Authority signed a water-sharing agreement under U.S. mediation.
Though the agreement is an advancement on a contentious issue, it is relatively little to ask of Israel.
The 32 million cubic meters Israel will provide — until the desalination plant in Aqaba, Jordan associated with the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance project is completed — is less than 10 percent of total Palestinian consumption.
With demand outpacing supply, the Palestinian Authority needs a renewable source of affordable water.
Water ownership and control is a tense topic between the two governments.
Israel may be a water-scarce nation, but it is also the world’s leader in water management, water recycling and desalination technology.
The Palestinians rely mainly on groundwater resources within their territories to meet demand.
While U.S. envoy and Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt said he hoped the July 13 water-sharing agreement is a "harbinger of things to come," Palestinian officials are less optimistic.
The United States aims to use the agreement as a stepping off point for cooperation on more vexing issues, including settlements, Palestinian security, potential embassy moves and refugee resettlement.