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<div class="entry-date">March 26, 2014<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/03/26/water-apartheid-in-palestine/">http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/03/26/water-apartheid-in-palestine/</a><br>
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<div class="subheadlinestyle"><b><big><big>A Crime Against Humanity</big></big></b></div>
<h1 class="article-title">Water Apartheid in Palestine</h1>
<div class="mainauthorstyle"><big><big>by AYMAN RABI</big></big></div>
<div class="main-text"><big><big> </big></big>
<p><big><big>This week UN celebrated <a
href="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.unwater.org']);">World
Water Day</a> - a day to remember the billion people who are unable to
meet their needs for safe, clean water due to drought, poverty and
official neglect.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>But it’s also a day to remember, and fight for, 2.1
million Palestinians who suffer something different – an artificial
water scarcity deliberately created and sustained by Israel’s military
occupation, and the private Israeli water company Mekorot.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Increased international pressure brings hope that the tide
may be finally turning for Palestinians striving for water justice in
the West Bank and Gaza – in particular, recent investment and
partnership decisons against Mekarot, which runs Israel’s
discriminatory water policy in the West Bank.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>Waterless in Gaza and East Jerusalem</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The <a
href="http://www.theecologist.org/blogs_and_comments/Blogs/2183842/gaza_living_under_artificial_drought.html"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.theecologist.org']);">situation
in Gaza</a> is especially dire. The tiny, densely populated territory
relies entirely on its depleted, saltwater-contaminated and
sewage-polluted aquifer, and the water it produces is unfit for
consumption. Water has to be bought, expensively, in bottles or from
mobile tanks.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Moreover restrictions on fuel imports mean that Gaza’s
single power station spends most of its time idle – and so long as it’s
not running water and sewage cannot be pumped. So the taps are dry,
toilets are blocked, and sewage pollution gets worse.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Not that Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem have it a
lot better. <a
href="http://972mag.com/photos-13-days-without-water-in-east-jerusalem/88497/"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://972mag.com']);">As
reported on 17th March</a>, the city suffered a long water cut
beginning on 4th March leaving Ras Shehada, Ras Khamis, Dahyat A’salam
and the Shuafat refugee camp – cut off from the rest of the city by the
separation wall – with no running water.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The reason is simple – old and inadequate water
infrastructure, which there are no plans to improve or renew.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>Oslo II Accords – the Palestinians were shafted</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>For West Bank as a whole the facts speak for themselves.
The Oslo II Accords dealt Palestinians a singularly poor hand
- limiting the volume of water it could produce, as well as imposing
severe restrictions on the development and maintenance of Palestinian
water infrastructure.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The Accords allow Palestinans to abstract only 118 million
cubic meters (mcm) per year from boreholes, wells, springs and
precipitation in the West Bank. But Israel is allowed to take four
times as much – 483 mcm per year – from the same Palestinian resources.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>So not only does Israel now occupy 80% of the area of
historic Palestine, but it – via the water company Mekarot – also takes
80% of the water resources from the 20% of the land that is left to the
Palestinians.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>Sold down the river</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>But it gets worse. Oslo II’s draconian restrictions on
water development imposed by Israel mean that Palestinians can only
actually abstract 87 mcm in the West Bank, of the 118 mcm they are
allowed.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The acute water deficit is made up by the supply of piped
water from Israel. Mekarot currently sells the Palestinian Water
Authority some 60 mcm per year – at full price.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>As reported by <a
href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.574554"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.haaretz.com']);">Amira
Hass in Ha’aretz</a>, <i>“in that agreement Israel imposed a
scandalously uneven, humiliating and infuriating division of the water
resources”.</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>While Palestinian water is piped into Israel at no cost, a
fraction of it is then piped back again, and paid for. In this way
Israel is extracting from Palestinians both their water, and their
money.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>In some cases Palestinians are <a
href="http://www.promisedlandblog.com/?p=3273"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.promisedlandblog.com']);">forced
to pay ten times more</a> for their water than the price in Tel Aviv –
as in the village of Sussia on South Mount Hebron, where they have to
drive to the nearby town to buy over-priced water (see photo), even
though a water main passes directly through the village on its way to
an Israeli settlement.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>Water plenty, and water famine</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>According to the <a
href="http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session19/FFM/FFMSettlements.pdf"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','download','http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session19/FFM/FFMSettlements.pdf']);">UN
Human Rights Council</a>, this all translates into a wide disparity
between water use by Palestinians and by settlers in the West Bank.
Settlers enjoy 400 litres per capita per day (l/c/d) while some
Palestinians surive on a little as 10 l/c/d.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>All Palestinian populations receive water volumes far
below the level recommended by the World Health Organization of 100 –
250 l/c/d. According to the UNHRC:</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><i>“Settlements benefit from enough water to run farms and
orchards, and for swimming pools and spas, while Palestinians often
struggle to access the minimum water requirements.</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><i>“Some settlements consume around 400 l/c/d, whereas
Palestinian consumption is 73 l/c/d, and as little as 10-20 l/c/d for
Bedouin communities which depend on expensive and low quality tanker
water.”</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>These very low levels of water provision fail to meet the
water needs of many Palestinian communities – leaving them with often
contaminated water, and not enough of it.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>While <a
href="http://www.foei.org/en/resources/publications/pdfs/2014/Water-injustice-in-Palestine.pdf/view"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.foei.org']);">Palestinian
water use</a> may just exceed 70 l/c/d in the relatively well served
urban centers of the West Bank, it drops much lower in rural areas that
have no access to piped water and depend on wells and rainwater
collection.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>An estimated 113,000 Palestinians in the West Bank have no
piped water supply, while hundreds of thousands more have only
intermittent supply, especially in the summer.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>Additional restrictions</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The restrictions and limitations imposed on Palestinians
to access their own resources and develop them have exacerbated the
already severe water shortages among Palestinian communities.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Among the restrictions are limits on the size of supply
pipe, intended to limit flows as a form of rationing. Typically 30% of
the water leaks from Palestinian supply pipes – because Israel refuses
to allow their renewal</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>In ‘Area C’, which covers 60% of the area of the West
Bank, Palestinian farmers and communities are not allowed to connect to
the water network that serves the growing settlements – and are
forbidden even to dig out cisterns.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The international community considers the establishment of
Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories illegal under
international law, as set out in <a
href="http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session19/FFM/PR_FFM_31012013_en.pdf"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','download','http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session19/FFM/PR_FFM_31012013_en.pdf']);">the
report of the fact finding mission</a> of the United Nations Office of
the High Commissioner for Human Rights.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Yet the construction of new illegal Israeli settlements
and ‘outposts’, and the expansion of existing ones, is proceeding apace
– and further reducing the quantity of water allocated to Palestinians.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>Your water or your life</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>As <a
href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41579#.UyxbKvl_ufc"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.un.org']);">reported
by the UN</a> in March 2012, another threat arises from settlers
seizing springs by force: <i>“Palestinians have increasingly lost
access to water sources in the West Bank as a result of the takeover of
springs by Israeli settlers, who have used threats, intimidation and
fences to ensure control of water points close to the settlements.”</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) examined 60 springs on Palestinian land close to Israeli
settlements. They found that:</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><i>“In 22 of the water sources, Palestinians have been
deterred from accessing the springs by acts of intimidation, threats
and violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers, while in the eight
springs under full settler control, Palestinian access has been
prevented by physical obstacles, including the fencing of the spring
area, and its ‘de facto annexation’ to the settlement.”</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Violence and destruction may also come directly from the
occupation authorities. <i>“Destruction of water infrastructure,
including rainwater cisterns, by Israeli authorities has increased
since the beginning of 2010; double in 2012 compared to 2011.</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><i>“The denial of water is used to trigger displacement,
particularly in areas slated for settlement expansion, especially since
these communities are mostly farmers and herders who depend on water
for their livelihoods.</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><i>“A number of testimonies highlighted that the cutting
off from water resources often precedes dispossession of lands for new
settlement projects.”</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>Mekorot – at the heart of Israel’s water apartheid</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>All Israeli settlements in the West Bank are connected to
piped water supplied by Israeli water company Mekorot, which took over
responsibility for the water resources of the West Bank from the
occupying forces in 1982.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Thus it Mekarot which is both the on-the-ground enforcer,
and the economic beneficiary, of the West Bank’s ‘water apartheid’.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>As the <a
href="http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session19/FFM/FFMSettlements.pdf"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','download','http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session19/FFM/FFMSettlements.pdf']);">UN
Human Rights Council</a> reports: <i>“In the Jordan Valley, deep water
drillings by the Israeli national water company Mekorot and the
agro-industrial company Mehadrin have caused Palestinian wells and
springs to dry up. Eighty per cent of the total water resources drilled
in the area is consumed by Israel and the settlements.”</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><i>“The lack of availability of Palestinian water
resources has led to chronic shortages among Palestinian communities in
Area C and a dependence on Mekorot … Mekorot supplies almost half the
water consumed by Palestinian communities.</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>Restricted access</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The UNHRC also reported that Palestinians do not have
access to the cheaper ‘recycled water’ available to Israeli
settlements, and have to buy more expensive drinking water even for
irrigation purposes.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>This injustice and inequity of access to water supply has
always been a source of tension, especially when Palestinian villagers
see water pipes leading to Israeli colonies passing through their land
without supplying their village with water – as reported above at
Sussia.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><i>“The Mission heard of situations where villagers must
travel several kilometres to get water when closer water resources
serve neighbouring settlements”</i>, reported UNHRC.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>And even when they do get water, they receive second class
treatment. <i>“In the event of a water shortage, valves supplying
Palestinian communities are turned off; this does not happen for
settlements.</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>‘Week of Action Against Mekorot’</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Mekorot violates international law and colludes in
resource grabbing -including pillaging water resources in Palestine. It
supplies this pillaged water to illegal Israeli settlements, and
engages in systematic discrimination and <a
href="http://www.foei.org/en/resources/publications/pdfs/2013/environmental-nakba-environmental-injustice-and-violations-of-the-israeli-occupation-of-palestine.pdf"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','download','http://www.foei.org/en/resources/publications/pdfs/2013/environmental-nakba-environmental-injustice-and-violations-of-the-israeli-occupation-of-palestine.pdf']);">denial
of water</a> to the Palestinian population.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>For this reason Palestinian organizations including PENGON
/ Friends of the Earth Palestine have co-organised a ‘<a
href="http://www.stopmekorot.org/"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.stopmekorot.org']);">Stop
Mekorot</a>‘ week of action starting today, on World Water Day.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The campaign aims to intensify pressure on governments and
companies to boycott Mekorot and hold the company accountable for its
discriminatory water policies and practices in Palestine.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>On March 20, the environmental federation Friends of the
Earth International announced its support for the campaign against the
discriminatory practices of Mekorot – joining the global call on
governments, public and private utility companies and investors
worldwide to <a
href="http://www.foei.org/en/media/archive/2014/israeli-water-company-mekorot-under-pressure-from-ngos"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.foei.org']);">avoid
or terminate</a> all contracts and cooperation agreements with Mekorot.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b>Campaign successes</b></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>In December 2013 the largest drinking water supplier in
the Netherlands, Vitens, set a precedent when it decided that its
commitment to international law meant it had to <a
href="http://www.nltimes.nl/2013/12/11/dutch-water-firm-cuts-relations-israels-mekorot"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.nltimes.nl']);">withdraw
from a cooperation agreement</a> with Mekorot. According to the company:</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><i>“Vitens attaches great importance to integrity and
adhering to international laws and regulations. Following consultation
with stakeholders, the company came to the realization that it is
extremely difficult to continue joint work on projects, as they cannot
be separated from the political environment.”</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Mekorot suffered another blow this week when authorities
in Buenos Aires, Argentina, <a
href="http://www.alternativenews.org/english/index.php/features/economy-of-the-occupation/7881-170m-argentina-loss-for-israeli-water-firm-mekorot-as-bds-spreads-southward"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.alternativenews.org']);">suspended
a proposed $170m water treatment plant</a> deal.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>The decision followed a campaign by local trade unions and
human rights groups which highlighted Mekorot’s role in Israel’s theft
of Palestinian water resources – and raised the prospect that Mekorot
might export its discriminatory water policies to Argentina.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>Palestinians must have their rightful share of available
resources and be granted full authority to manage them properly.
Equitable and wise use of available resources among all people is the
only basis for lasting peace in the region.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big>And until then the deliberate, systematic, purposeful
water discrimination and resource theft carried out in Occupied
Palestine by the Occupation and Mekorot must be recognised for what
they are – crimes against humanity. The perpetrators must be punished
accordingly.</big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><b><i>Ayman Rabi</i></b><i> represents <a
href="http://www.foei.org/en/who-we-are/member-directory/groups-by-region/asia-pacific/palestine.html"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.foei.org']);">Friends
of the Earth Palestine / PENGON</a>, the Palestinian Environmental NGOs
Network – established in 1996 to serve the Palestinian environment by
coordinating the scattered efforts of the different Palestinian NGOs
working in the field of environment.</i></big></big></p>
<big><big></big></big>
<p><big><big><em>This article originally appeared in <a
href="http://www.theecologist.org"
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.theecologist.org']);">The
Ecologist</a>.</em></big></big></p>
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