The Israeli-Palestinian Water Situation: The Need for a Safe Solution

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been an ebb and flow of violence and political turmoil for decades. In 1948, the Jewish people proclaimed the land to be the modern-day State of Israel resulting in both inter and intra-state conflict. Many political and ideological issues lie at the center of this conflict with none arguably more important than the issue of water. This scarce resource is critically important to daily life. Much of the land in Israel sits above valuable water sources, or aquifers. This paper covers the water issue in Israel. More specifically, how the public health of the Palestinian people suffers from this critical issue. First covered will be the current agreements and policies that affect the water sources for the Israeli and Palestinian people. Next, will be how the walls have restricted Palestinians from much needed water sources in the Occupied Territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Finally covered will be the dangerous situation of insufficient water supplies and poor sanitation for the Palestinian people.