28 june 2012
PA says in talks with Israel over water shortages
The head of the Palestinian water authority said Wednesday that discussions with the Israeli side were ongoing to increase quantities of drinking water without raising prices.
Israel seeks to increase the price of one cubic liter of water from 2.60 shekels to 3.70 shekels, which will cost the Palestinian treasury around 700 million shekels, Shadad al-Ateli said.
Al-Ateli told Voice of Palestine radio that Israel was not committed to water agreements under the Oslo Accords and the quantity of water the Palestinian side received this year was less than it received in 1995.
However he conceded that there were additional water problems being caused by poor management in Bethlehem. Officials are considering instituting a schedule for distribution to deal with shortages, he said.
In early June seven rural villages near Bethlehem endured about 15 days without running water. Local officials said the problem originated due to outdated agreements that do not account for population growth.
The Palestinian Authority is only able to use about 20 percent of West Bank water resources under the agreement with Israel. It is forced to buy extra supplies from Israel's Mekorot company.
Earlier this year the Palestinian water authority accused Israel of systematically destroying water infrastructure in areas under the control of Israeli armed forces in the occupied territories.
Water is one of the six final status issues to be resolved in any future peace agreement.
Israel seeks to increase the price of one cubic liter of water from 2.60 shekels to 3.70 shekels, which will cost the Palestinian treasury around 700 million shekels, Shadad al-Ateli said.
Al-Ateli told Voice of Palestine radio that Israel was not committed to water agreements under the Oslo Accords and the quantity of water the Palestinian side received this year was less than it received in 1995.
However he conceded that there were additional water problems being caused by poor management in Bethlehem. Officials are considering instituting a schedule for distribution to deal with shortages, he said.
In early June seven rural villages near Bethlehem endured about 15 days without running water. Local officials said the problem originated due to outdated agreements that do not account for population growth.
The Palestinian Authority is only able to use about 20 percent of West Bank water resources under the agreement with Israel. It is forced to buy extra supplies from Israel's Mekorot company.
Earlier this year the Palestinian water authority accused Israel of systematically destroying water infrastructure in areas under the control of Israeli armed forces in the occupied territories.
Water is one of the six final status issues to be resolved in any future peace agreement.
25 june 2012
Israel uses water as a weapon against the indigenous population
A local Palestinian official in the Negev desert, south of Palestine occupied in 1948, accused the occupation of using water as a weapon in order to displace people of Negev aiming to take control of their lands.
The head of Regional Council for Unrecognized Villages (RCUV), Ibrahim Alwakili, said that Israel deliberately denies water supply to the Arab Bedouins in the Negev causing daily suffering for more than 70 thousand people.
Hundreds of unrecognized Palestinian villagers in the Negev, demonstrated, on Sunday, outside the Israeli water company "Mekorot" in Beersheba protesting against the raising of water prices in these villages, and for not providing a regular supply of water.
Alwakili told Quds press that only one or two out of one hundred requests filed by Arab citizens in the Negev to get water are accepted for racial reasons.
He also pointed out that the occupation authorities "sell water to the Jewish citizen at prices much lower compared with the high prices they sell it to the Palestinian people in the Negev."
He also confirmed that denying water to Arabs is not due to the water shortage but due to the Israeli racist measures because water mains pass under those Arab villages and next to them, for the benefit of Israeli settlements, but Arab villages are deprived regular water supply even when mains pass meters away from Arab homes.
The head of Regional Council for Unrecognized Villages (RCUV), Ibrahim Alwakili, said that Israel deliberately denies water supply to the Arab Bedouins in the Negev causing daily suffering for more than 70 thousand people.
Hundreds of unrecognized Palestinian villagers in the Negev, demonstrated, on Sunday, outside the Israeli water company "Mekorot" in Beersheba protesting against the raising of water prices in these villages, and for not providing a regular supply of water.
Alwakili told Quds press that only one or two out of one hundred requests filed by Arab citizens in the Negev to get water are accepted for racial reasons.
He also pointed out that the occupation authorities "sell water to the Jewish citizen at prices much lower compared with the high prices they sell it to the Palestinian people in the Negev."
He also confirmed that denying water to Arabs is not due to the water shortage but due to the Israeli racist measures because water mains pass under those Arab villages and next to them, for the benefit of Israeli settlements, but Arab villages are deprived regular water supply even when mains pass meters away from Arab homes.
23 june 2012
OIC: Gaza suffers an acute shortage in drinking water
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) stated that the Gaza Strip is suffering an acute shortage in potable water, because of its reliance on groundwater, which is plagued by pollution and high salinity.
The OIC said in its monthly report, which monitors the humanitarian conditions in the coastal enclave, that 95% of Gaza's water is undrinkable, stressing that this problem falls within what is classified as "a real crisis in preventive health."
Thus, it called on donors as well as human rights and environmental organizations to establish water desalination projects in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of modernizing and developing the Strip’s sewage network.
The OIC said in its monthly report, which monitors the humanitarian conditions in the coastal enclave, that 95% of Gaza's water is undrinkable, stressing that this problem falls within what is classified as "a real crisis in preventive health."
Thus, it called on donors as well as human rights and environmental organizations to establish water desalination projects in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of modernizing and developing the Strip’s sewage network.
21 june 2012
Report: 90% of WB water is under occupation control
The water crisis in the West Bank worsens especially in the southern provinces, each year with the beginning of summer, because of the increased water consumption. Many officials and experts said that this water crisis is due to the occupation control over water resources and the local mismanagement in distributing water.
Palestinian water Authority Chief Shaddad Attili held the Israeli occupation responsible for the water crisis because of its disregard to Oslo conventions and its refusal to provide the Palestinian territories with the quantities of water upon which the two sides agreed and to allow drilling wells and setting up projects for water supply.
Attili told Quds Press that the occupation is controlling about 90% of water resources in the West Bank while only the remaining 10% are given to the Palestinians. Yet, the occupation authorities have been refusing to establish transmission lines for water in areas classified as "C", which are under full Israeli control according to Oslo agreement.
He criticized the local bodies in a number of Palestinian municipalities, holding them partly responsible for the water crisis because of the mismanagement of the distribution and the transport of water and the absence of tables that identify the arrival of water to certain areas, in addition to the lack of improvement and maintenance of the water transmission networks, which doubles the amount of lost water.
The Palestinian official stressed that "the water is available in larger quantities than last year and there will be no crisis this year, especially after planning a number of projects to control the water crisis based on drilling four new water wells in the south, in addition to a big project to reduce wastage of water," noting that "the amount of water owned by the citizens in their private wells exceeds the amount of water owned by the government"
For his part; Abdul Hadi Hantash, an expert in settlement affairs, stated that the occupation controls 84% of the amount of water in the West Bank after seizing its three water basins and preventing Palestinians from exploiting them.
He told Quds Press that the occupation authorities transmit 52% of the amount of water in the West Bank to the 1948- occupied Palestine and one-third of the amount water is transferred to the settlements leaving the West Bank with only 16% of the amount of water.
The Palestinian expert revealed that the occupation prevented the Palestinians even from exploiting the bulk of the 532 springs of water of the West Bank after demolishing many of them, while it prevented the drilling of wells and building of dams for rainwater utilization.
Palestinian water Authority Chief Shaddad Attili held the Israeli occupation responsible for the water crisis because of its disregard to Oslo conventions and its refusal to provide the Palestinian territories with the quantities of water upon which the two sides agreed and to allow drilling wells and setting up projects for water supply.
Attili told Quds Press that the occupation is controlling about 90% of water resources in the West Bank while only the remaining 10% are given to the Palestinians. Yet, the occupation authorities have been refusing to establish transmission lines for water in areas classified as "C", which are under full Israeli control according to Oslo agreement.
He criticized the local bodies in a number of Palestinian municipalities, holding them partly responsible for the water crisis because of the mismanagement of the distribution and the transport of water and the absence of tables that identify the arrival of water to certain areas, in addition to the lack of improvement and maintenance of the water transmission networks, which doubles the amount of lost water.
The Palestinian official stressed that "the water is available in larger quantities than last year and there will be no crisis this year, especially after planning a number of projects to control the water crisis based on drilling four new water wells in the south, in addition to a big project to reduce wastage of water," noting that "the amount of water owned by the citizens in their private wells exceeds the amount of water owned by the government"
For his part; Abdul Hadi Hantash, an expert in settlement affairs, stated that the occupation controls 84% of the amount of water in the West Bank after seizing its three water basins and preventing Palestinians from exploiting them.
He told Quds Press that the occupation authorities transmit 52% of the amount of water in the West Bank to the 1948- occupied Palestine and one-third of the amount water is transferred to the settlements leaving the West Bank with only 16% of the amount of water.
The Palestinian expert revealed that the occupation prevented the Palestinians even from exploiting the bulk of the 532 springs of water of the West Bank after demolishing many of them, while it prevented the drilling of wells and building of dams for rainwater utilization.
19 june 2012
Israeli Forces Seize Five Water Tankers in Jordan Valley
Israeli forces Tuesday seized five water tankers in al-Buqia area of the Jordan Valley, the only source of water in some parts of the occupied Valley, according to local official.
Aref Daraghme, head of Wadi al-Maleh village council, said that Israeli forces seized the tankers that were used to supply parts of the occupied Jordan Valley with drinking water, leaving several families that depend on animal husbandry for a living with no water.
Local residents in these remote areas of the Jordan Valley rely on tankers for their daily water supply since the Israeli authorities prohibit development in these areas in an attempt to drive residents away from their land in order to seize it.
Aref Daraghme, head of Wadi al-Maleh village council, said that Israeli forces seized the tankers that were used to supply parts of the occupied Jordan Valley with drinking water, leaving several families that depend on animal husbandry for a living with no water.
Local residents in these remote areas of the Jordan Valley rely on tankers for their daily water supply since the Israeli authorities prohibit development in these areas in an attempt to drive residents away from their land in order to seize it.
14 june 2012
Gaza water too contaminated to drink, say charities
War damage is in part to blame for the dire state of Gaza's water and sewage systems, the report says
Gaza's only fresh source of water is too dangerous to drink because of contamination by fertiliser and human waste, a new report says.
The charities Save the Children and Medical Aid for Palestinians say the number of children being treated for diarrhoea has doubled in five years.
They say Israel's five-year blockade of the territory is preventing crucial sanitation equipment from getting in.
The blockade must be lifted "in its entirety", they say.
The report, Gaza's Children: Falling Behind, says that high levels of nitrates and other contaminants have been found in the main water supply.
Nitrates, found in faeces and fertiliser, are linked to the doubling of the incidence of watery diarrhoea in children since the blockade began, it says.
As well as the blockade, it blames war damage and chronic underinvestment.
Desperate families are turning to private water sources - without realising that this water too is contaminated, often at 10 times the safe level, the report says.
And Gaza's sewage system is "completely broken".
Israel insists that the blockade of Gaza has been eased considerably in recent months, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem.
It says more supplies and building materials to help reconstruction of the territory's battered infrastructure are being allowed in.
But the report says this is not enough.
"As a matter of urgent priority for the health and well-being of Gaza's children, Israel must lift the blockade in its entirety to enable the free movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza," it says.
It also calls on the international community, the Palestinian Authority and aid donors to do more.
Gaza's only fresh source of water is too dangerous to drink because of contamination by fertiliser and human waste, a new report says.
The charities Save the Children and Medical Aid for Palestinians say the number of children being treated for diarrhoea has doubled in five years.
They say Israel's five-year blockade of the territory is preventing crucial sanitation equipment from getting in.
The blockade must be lifted "in its entirety", they say.
The report, Gaza's Children: Falling Behind, says that high levels of nitrates and other contaminants have been found in the main water supply.
Nitrates, found in faeces and fertiliser, are linked to the doubling of the incidence of watery diarrhoea in children since the blockade began, it says.
As well as the blockade, it blames war damage and chronic underinvestment.
Desperate families are turning to private water sources - without realising that this water too is contaminated, often at 10 times the safe level, the report says.
And Gaza's sewage system is "completely broken".
Israel insists that the blockade of Gaza has been eased considerably in recent months, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem.
It says more supplies and building materials to help reconstruction of the territory's battered infrastructure are being allowed in.
But the report says this is not enough.
"As a matter of urgent priority for the health and well-being of Gaza's children, Israel must lift the blockade in its entirety to enable the free movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza," it says.
It also calls on the international community, the Palestinian Authority and aid donors to do more.
13 june 2012
Bethlehem's Water Crisis Deepens
With every summer in the West Bank comes its problems with water, but this year, residents of Bethlehem and the surrounding areas find themselves dealing with a crisis unprecedented in its effect on the population of many of the city's neighborhoods, refugee camps, and surrounding villages. In many areas situated at higher altitudes, the water pumped from Bethlehem simply cannot reach homes and whole neighborhoods are left without running water.
Citizens interviewed by Palestine News Network have expressed their discontent with the lack of water in their homes and emphasize how difficult life without running water is. The amount of water pumped to Bethlehem is simply insufficient, and in addition to these, more than 40% of the water is lost en route.
According to many, the question of water has grown increasingly political as they allege that Israel has stolen more than 85% of Palestine's water sources in the building of settlements. More problematic, however, is poor internal management, poor distribution, and a high percentage of wasted water lost between thefts and issues with the water network itself. It is an issue that has needed to be addressed for years, and each summer the crisis returns with no new resolution ready to meet it.
In interviewing residents in Bethlehem's neighborhoods, refugee camps, and villages, PNN reporters have brought to light the especially severe nature of this year's water crisis. Mahdi Omar, resident of the Aida refugee camp, said that though the residents of the camp have suffered from this crisis year in and year out, "it looks like this summer we will suffer terribly," adding that his home has had no running water since mid-May.
Resident Zarina Umm Mohamed added that her family frequently finds itself depending on bottled water, saying that she cannot cook, wash her sons, or clean her house.
Yasser Asakereh, a restaurant owner in Bethlehem, said that he has lost customers because he cannot offer complimentary "coffee or tea or water or anything," and that he cannot even guarantee that a patron will be able to wash his hands in his restaurant.
A lack of sufficient water supplies is felt by all in the provinces of the West Bank, but authorities argue that it hits Bethlehem especially hard due to the high number of tourists who arrive during the summer months to visit Christian holy sites.
Citizens interviewed by Palestine News Network have expressed their discontent with the lack of water in their homes and emphasize how difficult life without running water is. The amount of water pumped to Bethlehem is simply insufficient, and in addition to these, more than 40% of the water is lost en route.
According to many, the question of water has grown increasingly political as they allege that Israel has stolen more than 85% of Palestine's water sources in the building of settlements. More problematic, however, is poor internal management, poor distribution, and a high percentage of wasted water lost between thefts and issues with the water network itself. It is an issue that has needed to be addressed for years, and each summer the crisis returns with no new resolution ready to meet it.
In interviewing residents in Bethlehem's neighborhoods, refugee camps, and villages, PNN reporters have brought to light the especially severe nature of this year's water crisis. Mahdi Omar, resident of the Aida refugee camp, said that though the residents of the camp have suffered from this crisis year in and year out, "it looks like this summer we will suffer terribly," adding that his home has had no running water since mid-May.
Resident Zarina Umm Mohamed added that her family frequently finds itself depending on bottled water, saying that she cannot cook, wash her sons, or clean her house.
Yasser Asakereh, a restaurant owner in Bethlehem, said that he has lost customers because he cannot offer complimentary "coffee or tea or water or anything," and that he cannot even guarantee that a patron will be able to wash his hands in his restaurant.
A lack of sufficient water supplies is felt by all in the provinces of the West Bank, but authorities argue that it hits Bethlehem especially hard due to the high number of tourists who arrive during the summer months to visit Christian holy sites.
11 june 2012
Officials call for action as Bethlehem villages run dry
Rural villages near Bethlehem are facing a water crisis despite sitting on top of the second largest reservoir in the West Bank, an official delegation to the area said on Monday.
Seven villages have not had running water for more than 15 days, in an area with a population of 30,000, the joint services council for development and planning said.
Council chair Khader Hamdan said the Israeli national water company, which the Palestinian government purchases from, has not taken into account the area's increase in population since it started selling water 25 years ago.
The Palestinian Authority, only able to use 20 percent of West Bank water resources under a 1995 agreement with Israel, is forced to buy extra supplies from Israel's Mekorot company, the Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene group says.
Hamdan called on the Palestinian Authority water and environment authorities to press Israel for increased water allocation, as well as to update the water distribution network in the area.
Meeting with local councils in Hindaza, Hanata, Beit Tamir, Zatara, Shawawra, Jubbet Al Dhib, and Kisan villages, Hamdan said the construction of water tanks could help solve the problem.
The chief of the Palestine Water Authority warned in January that Israel was systematically destroying Palestinian water infrastructure in areas under its military control.
Negotiations to resolve the allocation of water have failed, Shaddad Attili said, adding that the Joint Water Committee established in the Oslo Accords effectively gave Israel veto power over all Palestinian water projects.
Water is one of the six final-status issues to be resolved in a peace agreement, alongside settlements, refugees, borders, security and Jerusalem.
"Without water, and without ensuring Palestinian water rights, there can be no viable or sovereign Palestinian state," Attili warned.
Seven villages have not had running water for more than 15 days, in an area with a population of 30,000, the joint services council for development and planning said.
Council chair Khader Hamdan said the Israeli national water company, which the Palestinian government purchases from, has not taken into account the area's increase in population since it started selling water 25 years ago.
The Palestinian Authority, only able to use 20 percent of West Bank water resources under a 1995 agreement with Israel, is forced to buy extra supplies from Israel's Mekorot company, the Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene group says.
Hamdan called on the Palestinian Authority water and environment authorities to press Israel for increased water allocation, as well as to update the water distribution network in the area.
Meeting with local councils in Hindaza, Hanata, Beit Tamir, Zatara, Shawawra, Jubbet Al Dhib, and Kisan villages, Hamdan said the construction of water tanks could help solve the problem.
The chief of the Palestine Water Authority warned in January that Israel was systematically destroying Palestinian water infrastructure in areas under its military control.
Negotiations to resolve the allocation of water have failed, Shaddad Attili said, adding that the Joint Water Committee established in the Oslo Accords effectively gave Israel veto power over all Palestinian water projects.
Water is one of the six final-status issues to be resolved in a peace agreement, alongside settlements, refugees, borders, security and Jerusalem.
"Without water, and without ensuring Palestinian water rights, there can be no viable or sovereign Palestinian state," Attili warned.
7 june 2012
IOF confiscates water tank, causes water crisis in village
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) confiscated a water tank in Khirbat Farsiya in the northern Jordan Valley that carries water to the inhabitants.
The soldiers had confiscated three other tanks a few weeks ago causing an acute water shortage for the inhabitants.
Mohammed Daraghme said that the soldiers confiscated the tank from him while carrying it to the village and fined him 1700 shekels. They also warned him against carrying water to the area.
Inhabitants own thousands of cattle heads and depend on water tanks after the IOF prevented them from using the water springs in nearby Wadi Al-Malih.
In a similar act, IOF soldiers demolished five water wells to the west of Jenin in a fresh demolition spree in that area.
Locals said that the soldiers warned the owners of those wells against rebuilding them, adding that the act meant a total destruction of agriculture in hundreds of fertile dunums.
The soldiers had confiscated three other tanks a few weeks ago causing an acute water shortage for the inhabitants.
Mohammed Daraghme said that the soldiers confiscated the tank from him while carrying it to the village and fined him 1700 shekels. They also warned him against carrying water to the area.
Inhabitants own thousands of cattle heads and depend on water tanks after the IOF prevented them from using the water springs in nearby Wadi Al-Malih.
In a similar act, IOF soldiers demolished five water wells to the west of Jenin in a fresh demolition spree in that area.
Locals said that the soldiers warned the owners of those wells against rebuilding them, adding that the act meant a total destruction of agriculture in hundreds of fertile dunums.
Israeli Bulldozers Destroy Six Water Wells in West Bank
Israeli bulldozers Thursday destroyed six water wells east of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to local and security sources.
They said that Israeli bulldozers, accompanied by 10 Israeli military vehicles, destroyed two artesian water wells, which were used to irrigate dozens of dunums of agricultural land at a crossroad with the village of Beit Qad east of Jenin.
Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers, protected by soldiers, destroyed four other water wells in Deir Abu Daif village east of Jenin.
Governor of Jenin, Talal Dweikat, condemned the destruction of the water wells and said that these measures are part of an Israeli policy aimed at getting Palestinians to leave their land for the benefit of settlement expansion.
They said that Israeli bulldozers, accompanied by 10 Israeli military vehicles, destroyed two artesian water wells, which were used to irrigate dozens of dunums of agricultural land at a crossroad with the village of Beit Qad east of Jenin.
Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers, protected by soldiers, destroyed four other water wells in Deir Abu Daif village east of Jenin.
Governor of Jenin, Talal Dweikat, condemned the destruction of the water wells and said that these measures are part of an Israeli policy aimed at getting Palestinians to leave their land for the benefit of settlement expansion.
Israelis Stop Palestinians from Getting Drinking Water
Israeli forces Thursday seized a water tanker that was used to supply parts of the occupied Jordan Valley with drinking water and imposed a $450 fine on its owner, according to a local official.
Aref Daraghme, head of Wadi al-Maleh village council, said that Israeli forces seized the tanker while it was on its way to supply drinking water to an area in Wadi al-Maleh area and took it to an army base.
Local residents in these remote areas of the Jordan Valley rely on tankers for their daily water supply since the Israeli authorities prohibit development in these areas in an attempt to drive residents away from their land in order to seize it.
Aref Daraghme, head of Wadi al-Maleh village council, said that Israeli forces seized the tanker while it was on its way to supply drinking water to an area in Wadi al-Maleh area and took it to an army base.
Local residents in these remote areas of the Jordan Valley rely on tankers for their daily water supply since the Israeli authorities prohibit development in these areas in an attempt to drive residents away from their land in order to seize it.
4 june 2012
Israeli maneuvers in Jordan Valley cut water supplies to nearby village
Villagers in Ein Shibli village in central Jordan Valley have complained that maneuvers conducted by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at the slopes of nearby mountains had cut off water supplies to their homes.
Locals said that hundreds of IOF troops were exercising with live ammunition and sleeping in tents pitched near their village.
They complained that the soldiers have deliberately shut down water springs that supplied the village with water for their crops and house use.
The municipal council of the village said in a press release that around one thousand IOF soldiers and more than 70 armored vehicles were deployed in the nearby mountainous area.
It said that the military exercises damaged cultivated land lots and cut off water supplies to the village.
Locals said that hundreds of IOF troops were exercising with live ammunition and sleeping in tents pitched near their village.
They complained that the soldiers have deliberately shut down water springs that supplied the village with water for their crops and house use.
The municipal council of the village said in a press release that around one thousand IOF soldiers and more than 70 armored vehicles were deployed in the nearby mountainous area.
It said that the military exercises damaged cultivated land lots and cut off water supplies to the village.
29 may 2012
UNICEF insists on dealing with Israeli companies for its projects in Gaza
Jane Koch, representative of the UNICEF in the occupied Palestinian territories, insisted on accepting the tenders for Gaza projects offered by Israeli companies and threatened not to carry out these projects in the Gaza Strip if thy were boycotted by Palestinian contractors.
This came in her meeting Monday with head of the Palestinian contractors' union in Gaza Osama Kahil.
The two talked about the accusations made against the UNICEF office in the Strip about its acceptance of Israeli tenders for projects in Gaza and its refusal to deal with Palestinian companies.
The union had accused the UNICEF in Gaza of giving its bids for projects in Gaza to Israeli companies instead of Palestinian companies.
Following the meeting, Kahil told Quds Press that Koch asserted that the UNICEF would deal only with Israeli companies to carry out its projects in Gaza and provided flimsy excuses for not accepting tenders from Palestinian companies.
Kahil condemned this UNICEF attitude and affirmed that the Palestinian contractors' union would have to boycott its projects in response to its insistence on involving Israeli companies in them.
He demanded the federation of Arab contractors and the local institutions not to deal with these bids and projects and warned that any party that violates the boycott decision would be held accountable.
This came in her meeting Monday with head of the Palestinian contractors' union in Gaza Osama Kahil.
The two talked about the accusations made against the UNICEF office in the Strip about its acceptance of Israeli tenders for projects in Gaza and its refusal to deal with Palestinian companies.
The union had accused the UNICEF in Gaza of giving its bids for projects in Gaza to Israeli companies instead of Palestinian companies.
Following the meeting, Kahil told Quds Press that Koch asserted that the UNICEF would deal only with Israeli companies to carry out its projects in Gaza and provided flimsy excuses for not accepting tenders from Palestinian companies.
Kahil condemned this UNICEF attitude and affirmed that the Palestinian contractors' union would have to boycott its projects in response to its insistence on involving Israeli companies in them.
He demanded the federation of Arab contractors and the local institutions not to deal with these bids and projects and warned that any party that violates the boycott decision would be held accountable.
28 may 2012
Gaza: activists suspend UNICEF's closure
Young activists declared the suspend of UNICEF's closure pending the outcome of the meeting between UNICEF, the Palestinian Contractors Union, the Palestinian water authority, and other concerned authorities who praised the Palestinian youth unprecedented role in national issues which led to the convention of this meeting.
The activists stated in a statement on Sunday that they suspended the closure of the UNICEF headquarters in Gaza after the reviewing of the UNICEF decision concerning the two Israeli companies which won bids issued by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to construct water plants in Gaza.
The Palestinian activists called on the UNICEF to deal positively with the meeting, warning it that they will not accept compromises or any suspicious transaction, adding that they have a strong influence in decision making and that they are aware of their demands.
They called on the young donors in Arab and Muslim countries and particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Islamic Development Bank not to support UN Agencies.
The activists stated in a statement on Sunday that they suspended the closure of the UNICEF headquarters in Gaza after the reviewing of the UNICEF decision concerning the two Israeli companies which won bids issued by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to construct water plants in Gaza.
The Palestinian activists called on the UNICEF to deal positively with the meeting, warning it that they will not accept compromises or any suspicious transaction, adding that they have a strong influence in decision making and that they are aware of their demands.
They called on the young donors in Arab and Muslim countries and particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Islamic Development Bank not to support UN Agencies.
6 may 2012
IOF soldiers demolish ancient water well, old olive trees
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) demolished an ancient water well to the south west of Bani Naim village, Al-Khalil, on Sunday, local sources said.
Press sources said that the IOF soldiers also destroyed three old olive trees in the same area, noting that the soldiers regularly level land in Bani Naim areas overlooking the bypass road citing security pretexts.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers escorted civil administration employees who served notices to farmers in Khirbat Al-Tawil, near Aqraba village in Nablus, and told them that their tents and animal pens would be razed.
Hamza Deiriya, a member of the committee for the defense of Aqraba land, said that the employees delivered the notices to two farmers, warning them that they should knock down their animal pens and tents pitched to provide shelter for their families.
He said that the occupation forces gave the farmers 72 hours to evacuate before the soldiers demolish them, adding that the IOF considers the area a closed military zone that no installations should be erected in it.
Press sources said that the IOF soldiers also destroyed three old olive trees in the same area, noting that the soldiers regularly level land in Bani Naim areas overlooking the bypass road citing security pretexts.
Meanwhile, IOF soldiers escorted civil administration employees who served notices to farmers in Khirbat Al-Tawil, near Aqraba village in Nablus, and told them that their tents and animal pens would be razed.
Hamza Deiriya, a member of the committee for the defense of Aqraba land, said that the employees delivered the notices to two farmers, warning them that they should knock down their animal pens and tents pitched to provide shelter for their families.
He said that the occupation forces gave the farmers 72 hours to evacuate before the soldiers demolish them, adding that the IOF considers the area a closed military zone that no installations should be erected in it.
16 apr 2012
Israeli Forces Destroy Ponds, Wells, Land near Hebron
Israeli forces Monday razed two ponds used for collecting rain water, demolished three water wells, razed agricultural land and destroyed farming equipment in al-Majnouna area, south of Hebron, according to local sources.
They said Israeli soldiers, police and officials from the civil administration, the military government’s arm in the West Bank, brought bulldozers and other heavy machinery to destroy the ponds and wells the farmers use to water their fields and then razed agricultural land.
The ponds were repeatedly destroyed by Israeli forces in the past few years.
Landowner Kamal Amro told WAFA Israeli forces razed two dunums of agricultural land planted with vegetables, as well as demolished three water wells, some of which date back to the Roman period and were renovated only few years ago.
Local people said Israel wants to push them out of their land in order to take it over to expand a military camp and settlements.
They said Israeli soldiers, police and officials from the civil administration, the military government’s arm in the West Bank, brought bulldozers and other heavy machinery to destroy the ponds and wells the farmers use to water their fields and then razed agricultural land.
The ponds were repeatedly destroyed by Israeli forces in the past few years.
Landowner Kamal Amro told WAFA Israeli forces razed two dunums of agricultural land planted with vegetables, as well as demolished three water wells, some of which date back to the Roman period and were renovated only few years ago.
Local people said Israel wants to push them out of their land in order to take it over to expand a military camp and settlements.
Fayyad Inaugurates First Water Dam in Palestine
Prime Minister Salam Fayyad inaugurated Monday stage one of the first water dam to be built in Palestine at a cost of over $1 million, according to a statement issued by Fayyad’s office.
It said that on a visit to the village of Ouja and the Jordan Valley, Fayyad inaugurated the Ouja Dam, which he said is one of the projects to develop Area C that falls under full Israeli control and which makes more than 60% of the West Bank.
“Our non-stop efforts to develop the area known as Area C and every inch of our country aim mainly to benefit from our resources, mainly our water resources,” he said.
He said that building the Ouja Dam is proof that “we will not be deterred by unfair classifications and names.”
He said that he will not wait for Israeli permission to allow him to develop that area of Palestine, stressing that “this is our land and it is our natural right to develop this area and to serve our people living here.”
He stressed that the Jordan Valley is part of the occupied Palestinian territory and a vital part of the future independent state of Palestine.
The Islamic Development Bank contributed $1 million toward developing stage one of the Ouja Dam and the Palestinian Authority paid over $30,000 toward that end. Work will now start on stage two of the project.
Fayyad condemned the Israeli army assault against Palestinian and international activists who wanted to hold a bicycle tour of the Jordan Valley area last week to show support for the Palestinians living in that area.
He said an Israeli army officer attacking with his rifle a Danish activist, which was widely covered by the media, is what happens to the Palestinian people on daily basis, urging the media to also cover these assaults.
Fayyad said there are 225 projects in the Jordan Valley area worth $60 million of which 170 projects were completed.
It said that on a visit to the village of Ouja and the Jordan Valley, Fayyad inaugurated the Ouja Dam, which he said is one of the projects to develop Area C that falls under full Israeli control and which makes more than 60% of the West Bank.
“Our non-stop efforts to develop the area known as Area C and every inch of our country aim mainly to benefit from our resources, mainly our water resources,” he said.
He said that building the Ouja Dam is proof that “we will not be deterred by unfair classifications and names.”
He said that he will not wait for Israeli permission to allow him to develop that area of Palestine, stressing that “this is our land and it is our natural right to develop this area and to serve our people living here.”
He stressed that the Jordan Valley is part of the occupied Palestinian territory and a vital part of the future independent state of Palestine.
The Islamic Development Bank contributed $1 million toward developing stage one of the Ouja Dam and the Palestinian Authority paid over $30,000 toward that end. Work will now start on stage two of the project.
Fayyad condemned the Israeli army assault against Palestinian and international activists who wanted to hold a bicycle tour of the Jordan Valley area last week to show support for the Palestinians living in that area.
He said an Israeli army officer attacking with his rifle a Danish activist, which was widely covered by the media, is what happens to the Palestinian people on daily basis, urging the media to also cover these assaults.
Fayyad said there are 225 projects in the Jordan Valley area worth $60 million of which 170 projects were completed.
22 mrt 2012
PCBS: Palestinian Territory Suffers Water Scarcity
The Palestinian Territory suffers from water scarcity due to limited water resources, which affects all the vital sectors, especially agriculture, which is essential to ensure food self-sufficiency, said a press release by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on Thursday.
It stated, marking World Water Day, that around 220 liters of water are available daily per capita in the Palestinian Territory, which means that each Palestinian needs nine times the current amount of water in order to produce their daily food.
According to the press release, the Israeli actions of ongoing siege and closure of Palestinian cities, burning or confiscation of lands, stealing of agricultural crops, expansion of settlements and expulsion of farmers from their own lands, plus stealing the water to re-sell it back at high prices that farmers cannot afford to use for agriculture, have severely affected food production.
It said that water resources in the Palestinian Territory consist only of springs and ground water wells.
The amount of water discharged from springs in 2010 was 26.8 million cubic meters, while 244 million cubic meters of water was pumped from ground water wells and water purchased from the Israeli Water Company (Mekorot) totaled 60.3 million cubic meters, of which 4.3 million cubic meters were for agricultural use, it said.
Rain-fed cultivated areas form 80.0% of the total cultivated area of Palestinian cultivation due to the limited water supply, while irrigated farming forms 19.6%.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing represent 5.5% of Palestinian GDP and provide employment to about 11.8% of the total labor force.
It stated, marking World Water Day, that around 220 liters of water are available daily per capita in the Palestinian Territory, which means that each Palestinian needs nine times the current amount of water in order to produce their daily food.
According to the press release, the Israeli actions of ongoing siege and closure of Palestinian cities, burning or confiscation of lands, stealing of agricultural crops, expansion of settlements and expulsion of farmers from their own lands, plus stealing the water to re-sell it back at high prices that farmers cannot afford to use for agriculture, have severely affected food production.
It said that water resources in the Palestinian Territory consist only of springs and ground water wells.
The amount of water discharged from springs in 2010 was 26.8 million cubic meters, while 244 million cubic meters of water was pumped from ground water wells and water purchased from the Israeli Water Company (Mekorot) totaled 60.3 million cubic meters, of which 4.3 million cubic meters were for agricultural use, it said.
Rain-fed cultivated areas form 80.0% of the total cultivated area of Palestinian cultivation due to the limited water supply, while irrigated farming forms 19.6%.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing represent 5.5% of Palestinian GDP and provide employment to about 11.8% of the total labor force.
20 mrt 2012
Thirsting for Justice Protest on World Water Day Thirsting for Justice - Water is a Human Right
Thirsting for Justice Protest on World Water Day Thirsting for Justice - Water is a Human Right
Bank villages. In the Jordan valley, those living in the settlement of R'oi enjoy an average of 431 litres of water per day. Nearby, the Palestinian villagers of Al-Hadidiya have access to just 20 litres of water per day - 20 times less than the R'oi settlers and the UN level for a humanitarian disaster (B'Tselem 2011).
This form of apartheid has a catastrophic effect on agriculture and the Palestinian economy as well as on the daily lives of Palestinians.
The focus of the Thirsting for Justice Protest is on Israel's increasing use of targeting Palestinian wells and cisterns with demolition orders, for many people who have been cut off from mains water pipes; the water cisterns collect is their only source of non-drinking water. Destroying these cisterns is a human rights violation.
This form of apartheid has a catastrophic effect on agriculture and the Palestinian economy as well as on the daily lives of Palestinians.
The focus of the Thirsting for Justice Protest is on Israel's increasing use of targeting Palestinian wells and cisterns with demolition orders, for many people who have been cut off from mains water pipes; the water cisterns collect is their only source of non-drinking water. Destroying these cisterns is a human rights violation.
We believe that in the backdrop of World Water Day, March 22, we should bring attention to this very important issue by staging a demonstration in front of the Israeli High Court of Justice.
The High Court, in an unprecedented move, will start large-scale responses to the pending petitions and cases linked to planning laws in the West Bank that have accumulated over the years.
This remains the ideal time for the Society of St. Yves and other organizations to bring attention to not just individual cases but to the collective Israeli policies of destroying cisterns.
We hope to combine our resources in order to argue against the legality of Israel's unfair military orders and their application.
As local and international organizations pertaining to water prepare for the World Water Forum in Europe, a domestic campaign must complement their actions. The intention of this demonstration will be to sensitize the public, media, and the judges of the High Court of Justice about the issues involving water structure demolitions, particularly cisterns.
We hope that the symbolism related to the date, the setting, and the solidarity between different organizations regularly facing the consequences of demolitions, will have an effect on public opinion and open the way to legal amendments of the planning laws'.
The Society of St. Yves is a human rights association that provides legal assistance for Palestinians. the main issues they focus on are Jerusalem Residency, Child Registration, National Insurance, Freedom of Movement, Land Confiscation, House Demolitions, Family Unification and awareness raising. For more information about the protest or the organisation, contact [email protected] or see here.
To find out more about Palestinian rights to water and sanitation see here.
Take action in support of Palestinian rights to water and sanitation!
The Thirsting for Justice campaign calls on you to take part in a Global Flash Mob in city squares around the world on the occasion of World Water Day (22 March, 2012). This is an opportunity to educate the public about the daily violations of Palestinian rights to water and sanitation and to call on your government to push for... accountability for these violations until Israel complies with its legal obligations as an Occupying Power.
Participants can develop their own concept with support from the Thirsting for Justice Team or choose one of the following scenarios:
1 Palestinians carrying empty jerry cans standing in line on a Israeli checkpoint to symbolize Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to water; words like "hope" or "justice" can be written on each jerry can, to express the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
2 A crowd, representing Palestinians from Gaza, carrying bottles filled with dirty water, acting as if drinking it and falling sick. The crowd should be confined to a limited space to symbolize the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
3 A water cistern (represented by a box) about to be smashed to pieces by army officers, while people, representing Palestinian villagers, watch helplessly. This is to symbolize the ongoing destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure by the Israeli military in the West Bank. Villagers use cisterns to store water used for domestic consumption and livelihoods.
For each of these suggestions, participants are encouraged to carry banners that will explain the context of the scene. Register and send us your flash mob videos by writing an e-mail to [email protected].
Let´s make the flash mob videos go viral!
The High Court, in an unprecedented move, will start large-scale responses to the pending petitions and cases linked to planning laws in the West Bank that have accumulated over the years.
This remains the ideal time for the Society of St. Yves and other organizations to bring attention to not just individual cases but to the collective Israeli policies of destroying cisterns.
We hope to combine our resources in order to argue against the legality of Israel's unfair military orders and their application.
As local and international organizations pertaining to water prepare for the World Water Forum in Europe, a domestic campaign must complement their actions. The intention of this demonstration will be to sensitize the public, media, and the judges of the High Court of Justice about the issues involving water structure demolitions, particularly cisterns.
We hope that the symbolism related to the date, the setting, and the solidarity between different organizations regularly facing the consequences of demolitions, will have an effect on public opinion and open the way to legal amendments of the planning laws'.
The Society of St. Yves is a human rights association that provides legal assistance for Palestinians. the main issues they focus on are Jerusalem Residency, Child Registration, National Insurance, Freedom of Movement, Land Confiscation, House Demolitions, Family Unification and awareness raising. For more information about the protest or the organisation, contact [email protected] or see here.
To find out more about Palestinian rights to water and sanitation see here.
Take action in support of Palestinian rights to water and sanitation!
The Thirsting for Justice campaign calls on you to take part in a Global Flash Mob in city squares around the world on the occasion of World Water Day (22 March, 2012). This is an opportunity to educate the public about the daily violations of Palestinian rights to water and sanitation and to call on your government to push for... accountability for these violations until Israel complies with its legal obligations as an Occupying Power.
Participants can develop their own concept with support from the Thirsting for Justice Team or choose one of the following scenarios:
1 Palestinians carrying empty jerry cans standing in line on a Israeli checkpoint to symbolize Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to water; words like "hope" or "justice" can be written on each jerry can, to express the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
2 A crowd, representing Palestinians from Gaza, carrying bottles filled with dirty water, acting as if drinking it and falling sick. The crowd should be confined to a limited space to symbolize the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
3 A water cistern (represented by a box) about to be smashed to pieces by army officers, while people, representing Palestinian villagers, watch helplessly. This is to symbolize the ongoing destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure by the Israeli military in the West Bank. Villagers use cisterns to store water used for domestic consumption and livelihoods.
For each of these suggestions, participants are encouraged to carry banners that will explain the context of the scene. Register and send us your flash mob videos by writing an e-mail to [email protected].
Let´s make the flash mob videos go viral!
EU supports Gaza crossing upgrade
The European Union contributed 13 million euros ($17.2 million) to upgrade the sole goods crossing into the Gaza Strip, a press statement said Monday.
A further 22 million euros ($29.1 million) of EU funds will be used to build a medium scale wastewater treatment plant in the Tubas area.
"Fully aware of the scarcity of water resources in the occupied Palestinian territory, the EU has identified water as one of the focal sectors of its assistance," Ashton said.
"The upgrading of the Kerem Shalom crossing point allows for an increased movement of goods in and out of the Gaza Strip," she added.
The Gaza Strip is squeezed by an Israel blockade, and after the closure of three crossings, the southern Kerem Shalom terminal is the sole access point for goods into Gaza. The crossing with Egypt is only equipped for passengers.
Work on the crossing under the EU project -- which will be conducted by the PA in coordination with Israel -- will build and expand infrastructure including loading and inspection areas and warehouses, as well as providing IT equipment.
EU Foreign Affairs chief Catherine Ashton signed the two agreements with PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Brussels on Monday, ahead of a meeting of donors to Palestine in the city.
The PA issued its report to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee on Monday, calling for more support to invest in Area C, the 62 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli control.
Palestinians "cannot simply wait for the conclusion of peace negotiations to reverse this de-development and destruction of livelihoods' by the Israeli occupation," the report says.
A further 22 million euros ($29.1 million) of EU funds will be used to build a medium scale wastewater treatment plant in the Tubas area.
"Fully aware of the scarcity of water resources in the occupied Palestinian territory, the EU has identified water as one of the focal sectors of its assistance," Ashton said.
"The upgrading of the Kerem Shalom crossing point allows for an increased movement of goods in and out of the Gaza Strip," she added.
The Gaza Strip is squeezed by an Israel blockade, and after the closure of three crossings, the southern Kerem Shalom terminal is the sole access point for goods into Gaza. The crossing with Egypt is only equipped for passengers.
Work on the crossing under the EU project -- which will be conducted by the PA in coordination with Israel -- will build and expand infrastructure including loading and inspection areas and warehouses, as well as providing IT equipment.
EU Foreign Affairs chief Catherine Ashton signed the two agreements with PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Brussels on Monday, ahead of a meeting of donors to Palestine in the city.
The PA issued its report to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee on Monday, calling for more support to invest in Area C, the 62 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli control.
Palestinians "cannot simply wait for the conclusion of peace negotiations to reverse this de-development and destruction of livelihoods' by the Israeli occupation," the report says.
19 mrt 2012
UN: Settlers grab Palestinian water springs
By Jihan Abdalla
Jewish settlers have seized dozens of natural springs in the occupied West Bank, barring Palestinians or limiting their access to scarce water sources, a United Nations report said on Monday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it had surveyed 530 springs in the West Bank and found that 30, mostly in areas where Israel retains military control, were taken over by the settlers.
It added that Palestinians currently had limited access to 26 other springs where settlers had moved in and threatened to take control. The report said settlers had not encroached on 474 remaining springs surveyed.
"Springs have remained the single largest water source for irrigation and a significant source for watering livestock," the report said, adding that some also provided water for domestic consumption in areas not connected to pipelines.
"The loss of access to springs and adjacent land reduced the income of affected farmers, who either stop cultivating the land or face a reduction in the productivity of their crops," the report said.
It added that settlers had turned dozens of springs into tourist sites and some were used for swimming.
"Settlers have developed 40 springs as tourist sites, deployed picnic tables and benches and given them Hebrew names ... It is generating employment and revenue for the settlements and it is a way of promoting or advertising settlements as a fun place," OCHA researcher Yehezkel Lein said.
David Haivri, a settler leader, said settlers were using the springs "for purposes of recreation and for the people who live here, more so than for tourism purposes."
In 2009 a spring named Ein el Qaws, located near the village of Nabi Saleh, was taken over by settlers from Halamish, forcing villagers to obtain their irrigation water from other sources, the report and residents said.
"The spring was used to irrigate hundreds of olive and fruit trees in the village and the children used to swim in it, now if we try to go to the spring, the settlers and soldiers come and kick us out," said villager Nariman Tamimi.
A spokesman for Israel's military-run Civil Administration in the West Bank said there was free access to the Ein el Qaws spring for everyone, except on Fridays when Palestinians usually mount protests against the spring's takeover and soldiers keep people away.
He said Israel had curbed illegal building at one spring and had started legal proceedings against work at another site.
About 500,000 Israelis and 2.5 million Palestinians live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas Israel captured in a 1967 war.
Palestinians say settlements, considered illegal by the International Court of Justice, the highest UN legal body for disputes, would deny them a viable state. Israel disputes their illegality and says the status of settlements should be decided in peace negotiations.
Israeli settlers take over water springs in West Bank: UN report
A United Nations report says Israeli settlers have taken over dozens of natural springs in the occupied West Bank, blocking Palestinians access to the water sources.
“Palestinians have been deterred from accessing the springs by acts of intimidation, threats and violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers,” said a Monday report published by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
At least 30 springs in the West Bank are “completely taken over” by Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents are unable to gain access to the sources “at all,” the report added.
The OCHA report also said the springs have remained the “single largest water source for irrigation and a significant source for watering livestock” for Palestinians.
“The loss of access to springs and adjacent land reduced the income of affected farmers, who either stop cultivating the land or face a reduction in the productivity of their crops.”
Israeli settlers have “undertaken” an effort to turn some of the areas with natural springs into tourist attraction spots, constructing pools, picnic areas and signs carrying a “Hebrew name” for the spring sources, the OCHA said.
The UN report stated that the takeover of springs in the West Bank is “an extension” of illegal Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.
OCHA called on Israeli authorities to stop settlement expansions and “restore Palestinian access to the water springs taken over by settlers.”
Jewish settlers have seized dozens of natural springs in the occupied West Bank, barring Palestinians or limiting their access to scarce water sources, a United Nations report said on Monday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it had surveyed 530 springs in the West Bank and found that 30, mostly in areas where Israel retains military control, were taken over by the settlers.
It added that Palestinians currently had limited access to 26 other springs where settlers had moved in and threatened to take control. The report said settlers had not encroached on 474 remaining springs surveyed.
"Springs have remained the single largest water source for irrigation and a significant source for watering livestock," the report said, adding that some also provided water for domestic consumption in areas not connected to pipelines.
"The loss of access to springs and adjacent land reduced the income of affected farmers, who either stop cultivating the land or face a reduction in the productivity of their crops," the report said.
It added that settlers had turned dozens of springs into tourist sites and some were used for swimming.
"Settlers have developed 40 springs as tourist sites, deployed picnic tables and benches and given them Hebrew names ... It is generating employment and revenue for the settlements and it is a way of promoting or advertising settlements as a fun place," OCHA researcher Yehezkel Lein said.
David Haivri, a settler leader, said settlers were using the springs "for purposes of recreation and for the people who live here, more so than for tourism purposes."
In 2009 a spring named Ein el Qaws, located near the village of Nabi Saleh, was taken over by settlers from Halamish, forcing villagers to obtain their irrigation water from other sources, the report and residents said.
"The spring was used to irrigate hundreds of olive and fruit trees in the village and the children used to swim in it, now if we try to go to the spring, the settlers and soldiers come and kick us out," said villager Nariman Tamimi.
A spokesman for Israel's military-run Civil Administration in the West Bank said there was free access to the Ein el Qaws spring for everyone, except on Fridays when Palestinians usually mount protests against the spring's takeover and soldiers keep people away.
He said Israel had curbed illegal building at one spring and had started legal proceedings against work at another site.
About 500,000 Israelis and 2.5 million Palestinians live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas Israel captured in a 1967 war.
Palestinians say settlements, considered illegal by the International Court of Justice, the highest UN legal body for disputes, would deny them a viable state. Israel disputes their illegality and says the status of settlements should be decided in peace negotiations.
Israeli settlers take over water springs in West Bank: UN report
A United Nations report says Israeli settlers have taken over dozens of natural springs in the occupied West Bank, blocking Palestinians access to the water sources.
“Palestinians have been deterred from accessing the springs by acts of intimidation, threats and violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers,” said a Monday report published by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
At least 30 springs in the West Bank are “completely taken over” by Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents are unable to gain access to the sources “at all,” the report added.
The OCHA report also said the springs have remained the “single largest water source for irrigation and a significant source for watering livestock” for Palestinians.
“The loss of access to springs and adjacent land reduced the income of affected farmers, who either stop cultivating the land or face a reduction in the productivity of their crops.”
Israeli settlers have “undertaken” an effort to turn some of the areas with natural springs into tourist attraction spots, constructing pools, picnic areas and signs carrying a “Hebrew name” for the spring sources, the OCHA said.
The UN report stated that the takeover of springs in the West Bank is “an extension” of illegal Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.
OCHA called on Israeli authorities to stop settlement expansions and “restore Palestinian access to the water springs taken over by settlers.”
The humanitarian impact of the takeover of Palestinian water springs by Israeli settlers
|
· There are 56 water springs in the West Bank in the vicinity of Israeli settlements that have become the target of settler activities.
· Thirty (30) of these springs have been taken over completely by Israeli settlers, while the other 26 are at risk of settler take over, due to regular settler "tours" and patrolling. · Four of the springs fall within Areas B, close to the boundaries with Area C, and the rest are located within Area C. · At least 84 percent of the springs affected by settler activities are located on land recognized by the Israeli Civil Administration (ICA) as privately owned by Palestinians. · In three-quarters of the springs taken-over, Palestinians have been deterred from accessing the area by acts of threat and intimidation, while access to the rest has been prevented by physical obstacles. · In more than 70 percent of the springs, Israeli settlers have begun to develop the surrounding area into a "tourist attraction". |
· Virtually all of the springs affected by settler activities are, or were in the past, used by Palestinians for irrigation, watering of livestock and/or domestic water consumption.
· Israel uses 86 percent of the water extracted from the Mountain Aquifer, which is a trans-boundary resource that must be shared between both sides in an equitable and reasonable manner.
1. In recent years, Israeli settler activity has significantly impaired Palestinian access to, and use of, a growing number of water springs. The main methods used by settlers to that end have been threats and intimidation, and the erection of fences around the targeted areas.
2. This phenomenon comes in the context of Israel's longstanding policy of settling its civilian population in the occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international humanitarian law. Nearly 40 percent of the West Bank has been seized by the Israeli authorities for that purpose. Additional Palestinian properties, including springs, have been taken over by settler groups without formal authorization, but with the acquiescence and often active support of the Israeli authorities.
3. Following the reduction of Palestinian presence, settlers begin developing the springs into tourist attractions, with the support of various Israeli governmental bodies. The ever growing tourism infrastructure of settlements contributes to their entrenchment by adding a source of revenue for the settler population, as well as by "normalizing" settlements in the eyes of larger segments of Israeli society.
4. The inability to access and use springs has significantly undermined the livelihoods and security of Palestinians living in affected communities. Many farmers were forced to either cease cultivating the land or face a reduction in productivity. Herders and households had to increase their expenditures to purchase more expensive piped or tankered water. The presence of armed settlers at the springs and their surroundings also resulted in increased friction and clashes.
5. The practices involved in the takeover and development of springs - including trespass, intimidation, theft, and building without permit - are illegal under both international and Israeli military legislation. Yet, the Israeli authorities have systematically failed to enforce the law on those responsible for these acts and to provide Palestinians with any effective remedy.
6. The encroachment on Palestinian land for the purpose of settlement expansion is a key cause of humanitarian vulnerability of the Palestinian population. Settlement expansion also results in the fragmentation of the West Bank, thus undermining the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
7. The Israeli authorities must stop facilitating the transfer of Israeli civilians into the oPt; restore Palestinian access to the water springs taken over by settlers; conduct effective investigations into cases of settler violence and trespass and prosecute those responsible; and prevent ongoing settler "tours" into springs located on private Palestinian land.
For more information including a map of the concerning water springs, please click here
UPDATE:
Water being used to coerce Bedouin villagers, says NGO
· Israel uses 86 percent of the water extracted from the Mountain Aquifer, which is a trans-boundary resource that must be shared between both sides in an equitable and reasonable manner.
1. In recent years, Israeli settler activity has significantly impaired Palestinian access to, and use of, a growing number of water springs. The main methods used by settlers to that end have been threats and intimidation, and the erection of fences around the targeted areas.
2. This phenomenon comes in the context of Israel's longstanding policy of settling its civilian population in the occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international humanitarian law. Nearly 40 percent of the West Bank has been seized by the Israeli authorities for that purpose. Additional Palestinian properties, including springs, have been taken over by settler groups without formal authorization, but with the acquiescence and often active support of the Israeli authorities.
3. Following the reduction of Palestinian presence, settlers begin developing the springs into tourist attractions, with the support of various Israeli governmental bodies. The ever growing tourism infrastructure of settlements contributes to their entrenchment by adding a source of revenue for the settler population, as well as by "normalizing" settlements in the eyes of larger segments of Israeli society.
4. The inability to access and use springs has significantly undermined the livelihoods and security of Palestinians living in affected communities. Many farmers were forced to either cease cultivating the land or face a reduction in productivity. Herders and households had to increase their expenditures to purchase more expensive piped or tankered water. The presence of armed settlers at the springs and their surroundings also resulted in increased friction and clashes.
5. The practices involved in the takeover and development of springs - including trespass, intimidation, theft, and building without permit - are illegal under both international and Israeli military legislation. Yet, the Israeli authorities have systematically failed to enforce the law on those responsible for these acts and to provide Palestinians with any effective remedy.
6. The encroachment on Palestinian land for the purpose of settlement expansion is a key cause of humanitarian vulnerability of the Palestinian population. Settlement expansion also results in the fragmentation of the West Bank, thus undermining the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
7. The Israeli authorities must stop facilitating the transfer of Israeli civilians into the oPt; restore Palestinian access to the water springs taken over by settlers; conduct effective investigations into cases of settler violence and trespass and prosecute those responsible; and prevent ongoing settler "tours" into springs located on private Palestinian land.
For more information including a map of the concerning water springs, please click here
UPDATE:
Water being used to coerce Bedouin villagers, says NGO
15 mrt 2012
Euronews interview: Conflict deepened over control of water
Euronews interview: Conflict deepened over control of water
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Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, has been talking to Euronews about water and the part it has played in the conflict with Israel.
He was attending the sixth World Water Forum in Marseille. There have been 21 armed disputes over water in recent history and 18 of them involved Israel. Israel has controlled water supplies in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since it first occupied the areas in 1967. Mohammed Shaikhibrahim: "Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, welcome to Euronews." Prime Minister Salam Fayyad: "Thank you, you are welcome." Euronews: "You are here to participate in the World Water Congress, what are the most pressing problems facing the provision of water in Palestine? Prime Minister: "Water scarcity. Certainly, we are facing water poverty at a high level. |
It is clear the lack of equal distribution confirms the occupation and favours Israel and settlers. This implies prejudice against the Palestinian people, in general the region as a whole is facing water poverty and it affects us badly, particularly in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
'I am here because an important project will be announced during the conference by the French government and the French Prime Minister who is to unveil this vital, strategic water project for water desalination in the Gaza Strip.
'In general in the occupied Palestinian territories water for consumption is less than the minimum acceptable and approved by the World Health Organisation. That's about 70 litres per capita per day in Palestine, compared to 100 litres according to the W.H.O criteria, so it is less than the minimum approved by W.H.O and compared to Israel, well they get three times that amount.
'In the settlements there is a big difference between the settlers and Palestinians especially in the Jordan Valley, the proportion of water available to the settlers is about 18 times more than the Palestinians get."
Euronews: "You are blaming the Israelis as they control most water sources in the Palestinian territories, but the Oslo agreement, specifically Article 40 gave legitimacy to the Israelis to control most sources of water. Here we are back again today to talk about the same problem. Is there a contradiction in attitudes from the Palestinian leaders?"
Prime Minister: "The Oslo agreement does not give the right for the Israelis to use water in this unfair way, and when we talk about the areas of shared water sources, we can say they don't have the right to exploit 90 per cent of the shared sources for the benefit of Israel, and if this was the case, we would not be here to discuss this matter now. We consider this attitude as part of the command and control relating to the Israeli occupation.
'In 2011, Israel destroyed about 46 water utilities in the West Bank. For example, they annihilated wells collecting water which dated back to Roman times. In addition Israel does not allow us -in the Palestinian National Authority - to dig water wells until we obtain licenses authorised by them.
'So I would like to know how Oslo allowed them to do this, how come Oslo allowed the Israeli occupation to sabotage the wells?"
Euronews: "What are the main economic problems that the Palestinian National Authority is facing these days?"
Prime Minister: "The Palestinian national economy works below production capacity, thus it is difficult to create jobs. The situation would be better if there was no Israeli political control and occupation. The contact between Palestine and the rest of the world is restricted by the procedures of the occupation. Our authority does not control the borders, does not control the crossing points and communication with the outside world, everything is controlled by Israel through the control system and the arbitrary use of all forms of abuse, which limits our ability to reach full production capacity. The only solution is to end the occupation."
Euronews: "You declared more than once that the PA is close to the establishment of a Palestinian state. You have even set a timetable for the establishment of the state, how are you going to achieve this?"
Prime Minister: "Preparedness and readiness for establishing the state are different from a state itself, that is another matter. The concept of an independent state with full sovereignty over the entire land occupied since 1967 in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and East Jerusalem, of course, requires ending the Israeli occupation. What we declared is the readiness and this is witnessed by the international community about a year ago."
Euronews: "Do you mean you are now ready to establish a Palestinian state?"
'I am here because an important project will be announced during the conference by the French government and the French Prime Minister who is to unveil this vital, strategic water project for water desalination in the Gaza Strip.
'In general in the occupied Palestinian territories water for consumption is less than the minimum acceptable and approved by the World Health Organisation. That's about 70 litres per capita per day in Palestine, compared to 100 litres according to the W.H.O criteria, so it is less than the minimum approved by W.H.O and compared to Israel, well they get three times that amount.
'In the settlements there is a big difference between the settlers and Palestinians especially in the Jordan Valley, the proportion of water available to the settlers is about 18 times more than the Palestinians get."
Euronews: "You are blaming the Israelis as they control most water sources in the Palestinian territories, but the Oslo agreement, specifically Article 40 gave legitimacy to the Israelis to control most sources of water. Here we are back again today to talk about the same problem. Is there a contradiction in attitudes from the Palestinian leaders?"
Prime Minister: "The Oslo agreement does not give the right for the Israelis to use water in this unfair way, and when we talk about the areas of shared water sources, we can say they don't have the right to exploit 90 per cent of the shared sources for the benefit of Israel, and if this was the case, we would not be here to discuss this matter now. We consider this attitude as part of the command and control relating to the Israeli occupation.
'In 2011, Israel destroyed about 46 water utilities in the West Bank. For example, they annihilated wells collecting water which dated back to Roman times. In addition Israel does not allow us -in the Palestinian National Authority - to dig water wells until we obtain licenses authorised by them.
'So I would like to know how Oslo allowed them to do this, how come Oslo allowed the Israeli occupation to sabotage the wells?"
Euronews: "What are the main economic problems that the Palestinian National Authority is facing these days?"
Prime Minister: "The Palestinian national economy works below production capacity, thus it is difficult to create jobs. The situation would be better if there was no Israeli political control and occupation. The contact between Palestine and the rest of the world is restricted by the procedures of the occupation. Our authority does not control the borders, does not control the crossing points and communication with the outside world, everything is controlled by Israel through the control system and the arbitrary use of all forms of abuse, which limits our ability to reach full production capacity. The only solution is to end the occupation."
Euronews: "You declared more than once that the PA is close to the establishment of a Palestinian state. You have even set a timetable for the establishment of the state, how are you going to achieve this?"
Prime Minister: "Preparedness and readiness for establishing the state are different from a state itself, that is another matter. The concept of an independent state with full sovereignty over the entire land occupied since 1967 in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and East Jerusalem, of course, requires ending the Israeli occupation. What we declared is the readiness and this is witnessed by the international community about a year ago."
Euronews: "Do you mean you are now ready to establish a Palestinian state?"