israel
Credit: Mohammed Ibrahim/Unsplash
Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank drive global increase in water-related violence
Israeli attacks on Palestinian water infrastructure in 2023 made up a quarter of global water-related violence, as conflicts over dwindling resources surged worldwide.
In short:
- Water-related violence globally increased by 50% in 2023, with nearly 350 documented conflicts.
- Israel's destruction of Palestinian water supplies was a significant contributor, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank.
- Latin America, the Caribbean and India also saw sharp rises in water conflicts due to drought and disputes over access.
Key quote:
“There was a massive uptick in violence over water in 2023, widely around the world, but especially in the Middle East.”
— Peter Gleick, co-founder of the Pacific Institute.
Why this matters:
As climate change exacerbates water scarcity, conflicts over access to water are becoming more frequent and severe, threatening the stability of already volatile regions. The ongoing violence endangers millions who rely on these critical resources for survival.
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Credit: slidezero/Big Stock Photo
Israel's Gaza war disrupts climate cooperation with Jordan
An ambitious climate deal between Israel and Jordan, known as Project Prosperity, has collapsed due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In short:
- Project Prosperity aimed to exchange Israel's water surplus for electricity from Jordan's solar farms, but the October 7 Hamas attack halted progress.
- Jordan, heavily affected by regional instability, canceled the deal and is accelerating its own desalination project to ensure water security.
- The collapse of the deal highlights the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on regional cooperation and climate initiatives.
Key quote:
“Why would we collaborate with someone killing us and controlling our resources? How can I collaborate with someone occupying me? Controlling me?”
— Anonymous Palestinian official
Why this matters:
The conflict disrupts not only political relations but also crucial climate cooperation in a region severely affected by water scarcity and climate change. Without such collaborations, effective climate adaptation in the Middle East becomes even more challenging.
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Photo by Mohammed Ibrahim on Unsplash
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In its Environmental Performance Review of Israel, the OECD said Israel would need to introduce additional measures across all sectors to achieve its carbon neutrality goals.
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A precious resource: How Israel uses water to control the West Bank
In occupied West Bank villages, Israeli-owned farms are flourishing, while Palestinians often do not have enough water to drink.
Photo by Pontus Wellgraf on Unsplash
Climate change law sets ambitious goals, but faces opposition from energy and finance ministries
Climate bill is far-reaching for Israeli energy sector, but is necessary to meet the requirements from all developed countries before the next UN climate summit in November.
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