The controversial Israeli West Bank barrier [1] was not only built for security reasons, but also to “commandeer water resources” according to Hind Khury, the Palestinian government's representative in Paris. A view echoed by Elizabeth Sime, country director of CARE International in West Bank/Gaza, who commented: “the route of the wall matches that of water resources, the latter being conveniently located on the Israeli side". “The wall cuts some communities off from their only source of water, prevents tanker trucks from getting around and puts up prices," added Abdul Rahman Tamimi, director of Palestinian Hydrology Group (PHG).

Nazlet Isa and Qalqilya serve as examples of two towns that found that the wall had cut them off from their water sources, which were now controlled by the Israelis.

Water shortages are not the only problem faced by West Bank inhabitants. In the small town of Attil, at least a third of the local drinking water is contaminated by sewage and pesticides. Doctor Hossam Madi says most children suffer from diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, fever, kidney failure, infection and dermatological problems because of poor water quality.

[1] Wikipedia - Israeli West Bank barrier

Related news: Palestine: PM says Israel prevents Palestinians from water supplies, Source Weekly, 16 Mar 2006 ; Palestine: scientists propose win-win for water in Gaza strip, Source Weekly, 21 Sep 2005

Contact: CARE International West Bank/Gaza, info@carewbg.org, http://www.carewbg.org/ ; Palestinian Hydrology Group (PHG), bashir@phg.org, http://www.phg.org/

Source: Al-Jazeera, 20 Mar 2006

Tags: policies & legislation, water resources management