Israel and Jordan An important agreement has been reached on the distribution of water in the region: Israel is selling a record amount of the scarce resource to a neighboring state, as the two governments did after a meeting of the Israeli foreign minister. Jair Lapidy and his Jordanian colleague Aiman Safadi announced. Accordingly, Amman gets 50 million cubic meters of water from its neighbor. More details not yet known.
According to Gideon Bromberg, head of environmental protection organization Ecopeace Middle East, the number is a “dramatic increase”: Israel has so far exported no more than ten cubic meters of water per year.
“Important Partner” for Israel
Cooperation on water resources has been a major issue between Israel and Jordan since the 1994 peace agreement. Lapid described Jordan as an “important partner” for Israel and said it wanted to strengthen ties. Under the previous government of Israel’s long-term prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Relations between the two countries have been strained recently.
Jordan is one of the driest countries in the world. The Hashemite Kingdom, with its ten million inhabitants, is currently facing one of the most severe droughts in its history. Israel, which has very little water available, is a world leader in seawater desalination.
Sophie MacKenzie is a contributor to CA News Ottawa, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that shape their communities. Her work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and important issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly manner.
