WATER ISSUES BETWEEN TURKEY, SYRIA AND IRAQ

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Pages : 0-14

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Publication Date : 1996-07-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :As to Israel, another Middle Eastern country which has problems connected with water, the question has many facets: international water experts point out that the Occupied Territories, especially the Golan Heights and the West Bank, are of vital importance to Israel from a water resources point of view. This assessment is confirmed by Israeli officials. Israel controls the tributaries of the Jordan River and utilises the waters of this river to the maximum level. Similarly, in the occupied West Bank, underground water resources are greatly utilised by Israel. Forty percent of the annual water requirement of Israel is supplied by these underground water sources1. Within this framework, the majority of all the water resources which Israel uses come from the adjacent Arab territories under Israeli occupation.2 If Israel loses its control of these territories during the process of the Middle East peace negotiations, this might lead to a serious deprivation of water resources for Israel. Although Israeli officials say that they may make some territorial concessions to the surrounding Arab countries, they openly state that these water resources are indispensable for Israel3. Water, in this context, is becoming a determining factor for the establishment of peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
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