Droplets of Droplets of Hope:Hope:

Searching for Sustainability Searching for Sustainability and Common Ground through and Common Ground through

Traditional Water Attitudes Traditional Water Attitudes and Knowledge in the and Knowledge in the Arab/Israeli Conflict  Arab/Israeli Conflict 

Rosina Hassoun, PhDRosina Hassoun, PhDMichigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityContact: hassoun@msu.eduContact: hassoun@msu.edu

In a In a situation situation

with such with such potential potential

for for violenceviolence

Scholars like Thomas Scholars like Thomas Homer-Dixon and Homer-Dixon and others have long others have long predicted the potential predicted the potential for water to spark for water to spark future conflict in the future conflict in the Middle East, especially Middle East, especially between Israel and her between Israel and her neighbors. neighbors.

Searching for Searching for Sustainability and Sustainability and Common GroundCommon Ground Israeli water discussion is increasingly couched Israeli water discussion is increasingly couched

in the language of the “securitization of water”in the language of the “securitization of water”

(as Barry Buzan of the London School of (as Barry Buzan of the London School of Economics uses the term). Economics uses the term).

Buzan says it calls for increased understanding Buzan says it calls for increased understanding of how societies conceptualize threats- which of how societies conceptualize threats- which includes factors such as beliefs and cultural includes factors such as beliefs and cultural perspectives- which also allows for perspectives- which also allows for deconstruction of threats. deconstruction of threats.

Can the cultural dimensions of Can the cultural dimensions of the water conflict offer a way the water conflict offer a way forward? forward?

Cultural Dimensions of Cultural Dimensions of Water Sharing:Water Sharing:

The cultural policy dimensions include: The cultural policy dimensions include:

1)1) the cultural and religious altitudes toward water the cultural and religious altitudes toward water and land use of both sides and land use of both sides

2)2) traditional practices and water usages that traditional practices and water usages that enabled sustainable water usage enabled sustainable water usage

3)3) changing current government water policies changing current government water policies

4)4) finding case studies of water cooperation and finding case studies of water cooperation and

5)5) the potential for charting a future based on a the potential for charting a future based on a common shared water culture and appropriate common shared water culture and appropriate technologiestechnologies

Water Crisis: IsraelWater Crisis: Israel

Until 10 days ago: Until 10 days ago: according to an Israeli according to an Israeli national news article national news article written by Avraham Zuroff written by Avraham Zuroff in February of 2009, in February of 2009, entitled “Farmers Face entitled “Farmers Face Grim Future as Water and Grim Future as Water and Workers Wither”,  Israel Workers Wither”,  Israel faced its worse drought faced its worse drought since the inception of  the since the inception of  the state in 1948. state in 1948.

Water Crisis: Water Crisis: PalestiniansPalestinians

In the West Bank, Palestinians face harsh In the West Bank, Palestinians face harsh conditions living under crippling water conditions living under crippling water shortages. Much of the Palestinian population shortages. Much of the Palestinian population lives on less than half of the amount the WHO lives on less than half of the amount the WHO sets as the minimal to maintain human health.sets as the minimal to maintain human health.

Some 13% of West Bank villages have no access Some 13% of West Bank villages have no access to water and are supplied by water tankers for to water and are supplied by water tankers for very high prices very high prices

Bethlehem’s Al Azzeh refugee camp has water Bethlehem’s Al Azzeh refugee camp has water only on alternating weeks.only on alternating weeks.

The wall built by the Israeli government isolated The wall built by the Israeli government isolated 23 groundwater wells and over 200 cisterns 23 groundwater wells and over 200 cisterns from their communities and demolished at least from their communities and demolished at least 14 wells in the Wall's "buffer zone". 14 wells in the Wall's "buffer zone".

Water Crisis: Water Crisis: Palestinians GazaPalestinians Gaza

In Gaza, the most recent In Gaza, the most recent Operation Spread Lead Operation Spread Lead started in Dec 2008, started in Dec 2008, damaged water damaged water infrastructure throughout infrastructure throughout the strip. the strip.

The coastal aquifer is The coastal aquifer is collapsing with salt water collapsing with salt water intrusion and sodium intrusion and sodium levels already above levels already above recommended human recommended human drinking levels, plus it is drinking levels, plus it is badly contaminated by badly contaminated by sewage and chemicals due sewage and chemicals due to lack of wastewater to lack of wastewater treatment. treatment.

Sewage flood Gaza 2007

Flood or FamineFlood or Famine Ten days ago the rain and sudden snow Ten days ago the rain and sudden snow

melt created a sudden torrent of water. melt created a sudden torrent of water. Israel shunted water into Lebanon, flooding Israel shunted water into Lebanon, flooding

fields and sparking an international incident fields and sparking an international incident with UNFIL troops asked to stop the water. with UNFIL troops asked to stop the water.

This pattern of long intervals of drought This pattern of long intervals of drought followed by torrential rain or snow is followed by torrential rain or snow is predicted to result from climate change. predicted to result from climate change.

Rapid rainfall is difficult to capture- most is Rapid rainfall is difficult to capture- most is lost as runoff.lost as runoff.

The Aquifers and The Aquifers and Watershed: Unequal Watershed: Unequal

AccessAccess Since at least Since at least

1967, Israel 1967, Israel has has dominated dominated the surface the surface and and underground underground aquifers of aquifers of the West the West Bank.Bank.The Israeli Jewish population uses

83% of the water supplies.

From the Jewish ritual baths, to the practice of Muslim ablutions to Christian baptism, water is purifying.

Similarity in Religious Concepts of Water

Miqveh and priestly Miqveh and priestly purificationpurification

wudu Baptism in Jordan River

Israeli Water Conveyance: Cultural Narrative Operationaized

So strong was the So strong was the national narrative about national narrative about “making the desert “making the desert bloom” that Israeli built bloom” that Israeli built one of the largest water one of the largest water conveyance systems in conveyance systems in the world, carrying the world, carrying water from the Sea of water from the Sea of Galilee to the Negev Galilee to the Negev (Neqab) desert. (Neqab) desert.

It is one of the largest It is one of the largest water conveyance water conveyance systems- and very costly.systems- and very costly.

Despite the development of new drip irrigation methods, monocropping

and dairy and flower farming in the Negev and Galilee is water

intensive. Israel’s agriculture uses 55% of its

water and only produces 2% of Israel’s GDP.

Palestinian Palestinian cultural cultural

concept is of concept is of the land as the land as UmUm, ,

mother.mother. The Palestinian The Palestinian agricultural practices agricultural practices today show continuities today show continuities with ancient Canaanite with ancient Canaanite and Nabatean water and Nabatean water practices in the usages practices in the usages of cisterns and rock of cisterns and rock terracing, with terracing, with improvements made by improvements made by the later Ottoman the later Ottoman period. It produced period. It produced 45% of Jordan’s GDP 45% of Jordan’s GDP 1948-1967.1948-1967.

EcocideEcocide Modern modifications to the agricultural Modern modifications to the agricultural

practices have been heavily influenced by severe practices have been heavily influenced by severe Israeli water restrictions (especially 1967 to Israeli water restrictions (especially 1967 to 1993).1993).

Israeli land use laws that require continuous use Israeli land use laws that require continuous use of the land by Palestinian farmers to avoid land of the land by Palestinian farmers to avoid land confiscation, thereby curtaining traditional confiscation, thereby curtaining traditional fallow and crop rotation practices and requiring fallow and crop rotation practices and requiring more chemicals and fertilizers, amounting to a more chemicals and fertilizers, amounting to a kind of long-term ecocide .kind of long-term ecocide .

(Hassoun (Hassoun 1998)1998)

Canaanite, Nabatean, and ancient Hebrew Canaanite, Nabatean, and ancient Hebrew water cisterns, conveyance systems , and water cisterns, conveyance systems , and wells demonstrate historical sustainable wells demonstrate historical sustainable water use. water use. Palestinian agricultural practices showed Palestinian agricultural practices showed some continuity, with ancient systems, with some continuity, with ancient systems, with Ottoman and modern modifications. Perhaps Ottoman and modern modifications. Perhaps studying and adapting ancient practices hold studying and adapting ancient practices hold out hope for both peoples. out hope for both peoples.

Historical Water Usage

Cooperation is Critical Cooperation is Critical Despite the enormity of the Despite the enormity of the

Arab/Israeli conflict, the water Arab/Israeli conflict, the water situation, given global warming situation, given global warming requires cooperation and requires cooperation and recognition of traditional recognition of traditional attitudes and practices of both attitudes and practices of both peoples in working peoples in working

towards a sustainable future. towards a sustainable future.

Governmental DeadlockGovernmental Deadlock

However:However: After the recent Gaza war, the will to After the recent Gaza war, the will to

cooperate in water appears to be cooperate in water appears to be deadlocked for the time being.deadlocked for the time being.

Even during the Oslo Peace process, Israeli Even during the Oslo Peace process, Israeli government favored asking the US to pay government favored asking the US to pay for water desalination plant for West Bank for water desalination plant for West Bank Arabs and piping water up 1000km, making Arabs and piping water up 1000km, making water costs prohibitive for most water costs prohibitive for most Palestinians, rather than share surface and Palestinians, rather than share surface and aquifer water. aquifer water.

Water Sharing Cases: Water Sharing Cases: In spite of the conflict and In spite of the conflict and

inequalities in access to water inequalities in access to water and power , Palestinians and and power , Palestinians and Israelis already have some Israelis already have some water sharing in place on a water sharing in place on a daily basis. Example: Some daily basis. Example: Some water flows from Israeli main water flows from Israeli main water carrier system into Gaza water carrier system into Gaza (4 MCM annually). (4 MCM annually).

Since 1999, Israel and Jordan Since 1999, Israel and Jordan have had a water sharing have had a water sharing agreement for some 20 - 50 agreement for some 20 - 50 MCM of water annually piped MCM of water annually piped to Jordan. This relationship to Jordan. This relationship has been tested several times. has been tested several times.

Droplets of Hope: Israeli Droplets of Hope: Israeli Environmentalism Environmentalism

There was only one Israeli There was only one Israeli (Jewish) environmental NGO (Jewish) environmental NGO 19 years- The Society for the 19 years- The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Protection of Nature in Israel.

There has been a recent There has been a recent proliferation including: Israel proliferation including: Israel Union for Environmental Union for Environmental Defense, an environmental Defense, an environmental advocacy group, the Heschel advocacy group, the Heschel Center ( focusing on Center ( focusing on environmental education environmental education leadership-building), Green leadership-building), Green Course (focusing on justice Course (focusing on justice issues), and many other issues), and many other smaller groups. smaller groups.

Israeli Youth Beach Cleanup

Droplets of Hope: Droplets of Hope: Palestinian Palestinian

Environmentalism Environmentalism Palestinians have a wide range Palestinians have a wide range

of environmental organizations of environmental organizations from bird watching clubs to from bird watching clubs to hydrology groups, to women’s hydrology groups, to women’s and agricultural unions. and agricultural unions.

Some environmental concepts Some environmental concepts have long been a component of have long been a component of Palestinian nationalism. Since Palestinian nationalism. Since the first Land Day in 1976, the first Land Day in 1976, protesting land confiscation in protesting land confiscation in the Galilee, this annual the Galilee, this annual commemoration has also been commemoration has also been associated with clean up days associated with clean up days and tree plantings. and tree plantings.

Droplets of Hope for the Droplets of Hope for the FutureFuture

The potential for the growing environmental The potential for the growing environmental movement holds out droplets of hope for changing movement holds out droplets of hope for changing future governmental and societal changes in the future governmental and societal changes in the usage and allocation of water between Palestinians usage and allocation of water between Palestinians and Israelis and between Israel and neighboring and Israelis and between Israel and neighboring states.states.

A major change in Israeli lifestyle, as well as A major change in Israeli lifestyle, as well as cooperation in water usage, may be necessary with cooperation in water usage, may be necessary with climate change.climate change.

Water sharing and coordinated conservation is a Water sharing and coordinated conservation is a realistic way of addressing climate change for both realistic way of addressing climate change for both Palestinians and Israelis. Palestinians and Israelis.

CoordinationCoordination Both the Palestinians and Israeli environmental Both the Palestinians and Israeli environmental

movements regularly cooperate with each other and movements regularly cooperate with each other and many are also engaged in the peace movement. many are also engaged in the peace movement.

For example, PRIME a joint Palestinian and Israeli For example, PRIME a joint Palestinian and Israeli environmental organization has encouraged the environmental organization has encouraged the cooperation of groups holding joint meetings with 40 cooperation of groups holding joint meetings with 40 different Palestinian and Israeli NGOs as reported on different Palestinian and Israeli NGOs as reported on their website by Professors Dan Bar-On and Sami their website by Professors Dan Bar-On and Sami Adwan.Adwan.

Many internationally sponsored organizations and Many internationally sponsored organizations and events facilitate joint environmentalism by events facilitate joint environmentalism by Palestinians and Israelis.Palestinians and Israelis.

This is a growing trend. This is a growing trend.

ConclusionConclusion

Cooperation and an ultimate “water for Cooperation and an ultimate “water for peace “ solution is inevitably part of a peace “ solution is inevitably part of a holistic peace approach. holistic peace approach.

Techno-fixes or political accommodation Techno-fixes or political accommodation cannot be made without consideration of cannot be made without consideration of the cultural dimensions of the conflict.the cultural dimensions of the conflict.

Culture change through environmentalism Culture change through environmentalism may bring about cultural and societal may bring about cultural and societal change favoring water sharing and change favoring water sharing and accommodation- if not ultimately peace. accommodation- if not ultimately peace.

RecommendationsRecommendations

1.1. Global pressure must be placed on Global pressure must be placed on Israelis, Palestinians, and the region to Israelis, Palestinians, and the region to restart peace negotiations, including restart peace negotiations, including water issues. water issues.

2.2. Global, institutional , and individual Global, institutional , and individual support for both Palestinian and Israeli support for both Palestinian and Israeli environmental movements is critical.environmental movements is critical.

3. Tying the environmental movement to 3. Tying the environmental movement to the peace movement is essential to the peace movement is essential to changing long-term governmental changing long-term governmental policies. policies.

Selected ReferencesSelected References Chaitin, Julia, Fida Obeidi, Sami Adwan, and Dan Bar-On. Chaitin, Julia, Fida Obeidi, Sami Adwan, and Dan Bar-On.

Palestinian and Israeli Cooperation in Environmental Work Palestinian and Israeli Cooperation in Environmental Work during the Peace era.  during the Peace era.  http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:dvOWJkDJBP0J:www.bgu.ac.il/~danbaron/Docs_Dan/environmental%2520paper%2520-%2520final%2520version%2520nov%25203.doc+Palestinian+environmental+movement&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a

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Hassoun, R.2001. “Palestinians and Israelis: Two Cultures, Hassoun, R.2001. “Palestinians and Israelis: Two Cultures, One Environment” International Peace Update. Women’s One Environment” International Peace Update. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. International League for Peace and Freedom. http://www.wilpf.int.ch/publications/2001ipuMarch.htm March 2008.March 2008.

Selected ReferencesSelected References Hassoun, R. 1998. "Water between Arabs and Israelis: Researching Twice Hassoun, R. 1998. "Water between Arabs and Israelis: Researching Twice

Promised Resources." Chapter In: Promised Resources." Chapter In: Water, Culture, and Power: Local Water, Culture, and Power: Local Struggles in a Global ContextStruggles in a Global Context. John M. Donahue and Barbara Johnston . John M. Donahue and Barbara Johnston Eds. Washington D.C.: Island Press. Eds. Washington D.C.: Island Press.

Hassoun, R. 1998b"Water, Culture, and Participatory Action Research: Hassoun, R. 1998b"Water, Culture, and Participatory Action Research: Solving Water Problems One Community at a Time.” In: Solving Water Problems One Community at a Time.” In: South South Perspectives on Water: Dispute Prevention & Development . Perspectives on Water: Dispute Prevention & Development . V. V. Conference : Center for the Global South. American University. Conference : Center for the Global South. American University. Washington D.C. Oct. 12-13. Washington D.C. Oct. 12-13. http://guruku/.ucc.american.edu/maksoud/water98/present2.htm

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