The link to my source is http://www.ipcri.org/watconf/papers/tamar.pdf
As Katrinka introduced herself, she shared that her thesis was written about the aquifer issues in Israel. Different sources on the internet explain the problem as the Israelis taking Palestinian water and others state that this is Israeli water. This is all a debate because of territorial issues. Not only are the Israelis and Palestinians fighting about sovereignty and independence, but they are starting to have a shortage of clean water for drinking and the water table has been lowered for above and below ground sources. Israel is seeing that their overpopulation and conflict is continuing to contaminate their water, which contaminates their health. Achiron-Frumkin suggests that this issue will become even more conflicting as the independence conflict is resolved. She suggests that both sides will improperly manage the water issue and that because a peace process is in action, both sides will accelerate development, which will add strain to the water sources.
What I see in this issue is the inevitable future of the entire Earth. As political conflicts start to quell, we will see an increase in violent conflict concerning natural resources. If war did not exist, then there would be no population control. If we let everyone live forever, then we would all die together. As I studied Conflict Transformation and watched peacebuilding in action, I wondered how viable physical peace IS in a world that is multiplying rapidly. Am I working to trade one violent conflict for an alternative violent conflict? This is a question that Israel/Palestine must answer before this aquifer issue transforms into their next violent conflict.
I imagine that there will be more territorial conflicts in the future besides Israel/Palestine, so lets take their example as a warning/advice. Instead of fighting over who's water the Western and Northern Aquifer belongs to, Israel/Palestine should take history and geography out of the picture and turn to working collaboratively on sustainable development of this water. Instead of creating another conflict out of the aquifer, create a solution. This natural resource is a common interest on both sides, so make this oen of the first steps to sustainable peace and transform the conflict into cohesive collaboration.
So, far in the book we are reading, it sounds like there was a time when Jews and Palestinians did live in peace in Palestine. So, it might serve them well to look back in their recent history to see why they were living peacefully, what led up to the violent conflict and to reflect on it, reconcile it and give it truth, so that people may have the openness and heart to work together to solve a serious problem that they both face.
ok it's Iraq but it's interesting
-
Here is a link to a blog put up by Morgan on a different Blog. There are a
number of entries that tie more to your topic than theirs. Enjoy.
16 years ago
I think this article brings up a great point about needing water not only for human consumption/needs, but also the natural ecosystems. I read or heard before that water will be the true divider of the "have" and "have nots" in the not so distant future. Private companies are buying up rights to underground and surface water rights in order to sell them later. But I most appreciate how you tied the idea of settling this basic need for all to be a catalyst for sustainable peace in this area. From the article it sounds as if its more than just Isreal and Palestine that will be affected, it also the surronding states that are downstream from the Jordan river also. The issue of water has to be resolved before it truely runs it.
ReplyDelete