Palestinian water supplies and demands

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the role of fresh water resources in regional and international conflicts, and on mechanisms and principles that can play a role in reducing those conflicts. The adoption of some critical principles helps in reducing tensions and encourages effective and productive negotiations by the parties involved. These principles include (1) the complete sharing of all hydrologic data, including water supply and water use data, (2) the equitable allocation of limited water resources in a way guaranteeing a fixed minimum water supply to all, (3) the allocation of additional water supplies based on proportional rather than fixed strategies, and (4) the commitment to resolve water-related disputes peacefully, through direct negotiations involving both resource experts and politicians. Water-related conflicts may arise over the secondary impacts of water development schemes such as irrigation facilities, hydroelectric developments, and flood-control reservoirs, and over inequities in water supply and use. Major water developments often lead to the displacement of large local populations, adverse impacts on downstream water users, changes in control of local resources, and economic dislocations.