Sharing of water resources in the Mashreq countries, Israel and Palestine

14.4.2008

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2343/08
by John Purvis (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission

The sharing of water resources is a potential (if not current) source of much dispute between Israel, Palestine, and the Mashreq countries. Israel and Palestine currently share four water resources, three on the West bank and one on the border with Israel. On average, Israelis consume four times as much water as Palestinians. Israel and Palestine share four aquifers. Israel receives additional groundwater from Nagab, Arabah, Carmel, Tiberia and the Western Galilee Basins. Israelis use approximately 320 litres per capita per day, whereas the Palestinians only use 70 litres per capita per day. The River Jordan is shared by Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Syria, and 93 % of its water is used by the Israelis. International law requires that the division of water resources must be equitable.

What is the Commission doing to monitor the situation and ensure that there is a fair and reasonable division in the sharing of water between the Mashreq countries, Israel and Palestine, both now and in the event of a peace agreement being reached in the region?

OJ C 40, 18/02/2009