The Mountain Aquifer, A Cause for Peace or Cooperation?: A Water Issue in Israel and Palestine
Open Access
- Author:
- Connor, Emily Starin
- Area of Honors:
- Geography
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- John Anthony Kelmelis, Thesis Supervisor
Roger Michael Downs, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- water
transboundary aquifer
conflict
Middle East
Israel
Palestine - Abstract:
- The issue of wars over water in the Middle East has been looming on the international stage. Former Secretary General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros Ghali declared, “The next war in the Middle East will be over water, not politics.” This dynamic is especially charged in the context of the Palestinian Israeli conflict, and specifically, over the transboundary Mountain Aquifer, a critical, and endangered water source for both parties. This research examines the likelihood of such conflict erupting over the Mountain Aquifer, the issue within the context of a series of geographic and historical factors. The body of international law regarding transboundary groundwater resources is evolving and gives insight into trends toward cooperation. The history and successes and failures of past water agreements in the region offer a historical context from which to examine existing bodies in place for cooperative management. The water sources of the Mountain Aquifer are decreasing in quality and quantity and the effect of that scarcity has important implications for future management solutions. Established methods of effectively managing transboundary aquifers, emphasizing jointly managed efforts are highlighted. Settlements as obstacles to effective negotiations and management of the aquifer are discussed and their role as potential sources of localized, low-level conflict. A future of meaningful water negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians is possible, in spite of setbacks and challenges, could trend toward cooperation.