UN calls for water equity between Israelis and Palestinians

• Published date: 03 October 2021
• Author: TOVAH LAZAROFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"It is estimated that nearly 660,000 Palestinians [in the West Bank] have limited access to water, with 420,000 consuming less than 50 liters on average daily per capita, which is well below the 100 liters recommended by the World Health Organization," the report stated.

The report was authored by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and her office. It was delivered by her office's Director of Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division Christian Salazar Volkmann.

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It noted that the situation was particularly problematic in both Gaza and in Area C of the West Bank.

"Roughly 14,000 Palestinians in approximately 180 communities in Area C have no connection to a water network, are without water infrastructure, and are considered at high risk for water scarcity," the report stated.

Only 10 percent of the two-million people that live in Gaza have direct access to clean and safe drinking water, the report explained.

Climate change and population growth play a role in water scarcity in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, the report continued, adding that the Palestinian population is expected to increase from 5.2 -7.2 million by 2030.

Aging infrastructure also contributes to water loss, according to the report. "One-third of all water supplied to the Palestinian Authority is lost to leakage due to the poor condition of pipelines and water grids linking Palestinian communities in the West Bank," the UN said.

It is expected that there will be an "annual domestic supply gap for Gaza and the West Bank of approximately 79 and 92 million cubic meters (MCM) respectively" by 2030 unless changes are made to the situation, the report stated.

The UN also blamed the geo-political situation, explaining the inequitable system of water distribution set by the Oslo Accords is not equipped to handle the needs of the Palestinian population almost 30 years later.

The Oslo Accords created a Joint Water Commission made up of an equal number of Israelis and Palestinians. In practice, the report said, Israeli JWC members vetoed Palestinian projects.

Israeli policies give preferential treatment to its citizens, including in the settlements, the report said, adding that the existence of the settlements contributed to water issues in the West Bank.

The situation is compounded in Gaza, which lacks electricity and where...