The Kineret (Sea of Galilee) is the main water source or Israel. It is just drying out.
| Water is considered as a national resource of utmost importance. Water is vital to ensure the population’s well-being and quality of life and to preserve the rural-agricultural sector. Israel has suffered from a chronic water shortage for years. In recent years however, the situation has developed into a crisis so severe that it is feared that by the next summer it may be difficult to adequately supply municipal and household water requirements. The current cumulative deficit in Israel’s renewable water resources amounts to approximately 2 billion cubic meters, an amount equal to the annual consumption of the State. The deficit has also lead to the qualitative deterioration of potable aquifer water resources that have, in part, become either of brackish quality or otherwise become polluted.The causes of the crisis are both natural and man-made. Israel has suffered from four consecutive years of drought. The increase in demand for water for domestic uses, caused by population growth and the rising standard of living, together with the need to supply water pursuant to international undertakings have led to over-utilization of its renewable water sources.The policy for the water sector, particularly in the past decade, combined with the absence of adequate action facing the impending water shortage situation, has contributed to the severity of the present crisis. |
Kineret, Sea of Galilee
Sunset on the Sea of Galilee
Jordan River – another water source
|
The agricultural sector has suffered most because of the crisis. Due to the shortage, water allocations to the sector had to be reduced drastically causing a reduction in the agricultural productivity.
The current crisis has led to the realization that a master plan for policy, institutional and operational changes is required to stabilize the situation and to improve Israel’s water balance with a long-term perspective.
More resources about this topic:
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFAHeb
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/scarcity.html
E-H Dictionary
| English |
How pronounced |
Hebrew |
| Water |
mayeem |
מים
|
| Drought |
Batzoret |
בצורת
|
| Shortage |
makhsor |
מחסור
|
| Deterioration |
Haslama |
הסלמה
|
| Utilization |
Shimush |
שימוש
|
| Sources |
Mekorot |
מקורות
|
| Agriculture |
Khakla’ut |
חקלאות
|
.
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Maybe they should confiscate some more water from the West Bank!
Israel does not solve problems this way. Why do you say “some more water”? Do you imply that this was or is being done? If so, please prove it! False accusations, even if only implied inflame the conflict and increase the sufferings of innocent people. Lately we’ve seen enough troublemakers inflaming the region with lies they publish from the comfort of their living rooms in Europe.
As far as I know, both the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Hamas in Gaza get their water, electricity and phone services from Israel. This is in addition to basic foods and commodities, which they don’t bother producing themselves as they are busy confiscating every piece of aid for the sake of arming their destruction machine (this last statement applies more to Gaza). Quite amazing when you think that this is happening while they fire missiles and send suicide bombers to Israeli cities.
Isaac Mendelson, Israel
Stop arguing and propose the solution!
Mendelson’s comments are unhelpful at best and xenophobic at worst. Why do you think it is critical to retain the Golan Heights? It’s militarily strategic and a matter of national security, yes, but it’s also about the water.
There’s no condoning terrorism, but it’s the logical product of a policy of occupation and generations of refugees, which is why it’s safer to be a Jew in Europe or the US than it is to live in Israel.