Basema can you tell us a little introduction to the water conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories right now?
Answer
The water and environmental situation is currently very difficult in all of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). But it is more difficult in the Gaza Strip with the current siege policy on it by the Israeli occupation.
We as Palestinian do not have control of water resources which is directly affecting availability and access to water. This is in addition to the problems related to water quality especially in the Palestinian marginal communities where we face visible water-related diseases in these communities.
Name
Ashraaf
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
What is the main source of water for the palestinians?
Answer
As you may know, Palestine is one of the major riparians in the Jordan River, but now we do not receive a single drop of water through this source. Israel has diverted most of its water before it reaches the Palestinian side and what is left is a flow of waste water.
The other major source of water is ground water. There are three major aquifers: eastern; north-eastern; and the western aquifers.
Quantities we get through these source are very limited since, as I mentioned, we do not have control over these resources. Palestinians are forces to rely, especially during the current situation, on other alternative resource like rainwater harvesting and local springs. But these sources are never enough to meet the daily needs of the Palestinians.
In the Gaza Strip, the situation is even worse, since the only available source is the coastal aquifer which is over abstracted by the people and already almost completely polluted by the waste water infiltration and sea water intrusion.
Name
Tarek Ramadan
-
Profession
Engineer
Question
Thank you for the live dialogue Ms. Bashir
I heard an interview with you here about the water crisis in Palestine. I'm wondering why is there not international investment in the water sector in Palestine?
Answer
Actually there is international investment but most of it is directed to the humanitarian and emergency situations. Investment in development is very limited.
Donor were discouraged from supporting the water sector because of the difficulties in getting licenses for the water-related projects which are controlled by the Israeli side.
In addition, they are scared by the direct threat of damage to these projects caused directly by the Israeli Occupation forces. And the real examples are clearly seen in the Gaza Strip.
Name
Anne
-
Profession
Question
Thank you for giving us this chance to know more about such a critical issue.
My question is who is responsible for this crisis, the government and the previous governments or the occupation?
Answer
The answer is simple: it is the Occupation: The WALL, the 100s of checkpoints, siege policy, destruction of the infrastructure, and the current complete closure in the Gaza Strip is the real reason for the current crisis in the OPT.
Currently the Gaza Strip is undergoing a real water and environmental crisis caused directly by the Israeli occupation.
Name
Alaa
- Algeria
Profession
Question
What do you think people who are motivated by this case and live outside Palestine can do to help?
Answer
They can support by helping in increasing awareness about the real very difficult situation in the OPT. They can help in seeing the real situation on the ground.
Palestinians have the right to use and manage their own resources.
I do not think that anyone can agree that it is fair for the settlers living on Palestinian land and using Palestinian resources to have the right to use nine times as much water as is available for the Palestinians. And Israelis are using seven times as much as Palestinians where a large part of it is coming from Palestinian sources.
We need to increase awareness that Palestinian have the right to use these resources and to live in dignity.
Name
Jack from Israel
-
Profession
Question
I don't understand how can you blame Israel for the problems you face. The country is only protecting itself from the thousands of rockets!
Imagine if you invest the money from those rockets in your infrastructure!
Answer
I am blaming the Israeli Occupation for depriving Palestinians from their right of life: i.e. using and managing their own water and the Occupation is giving itself the right to use Palestinian water.
We are trying to build and the Occupation is damaging all that is built.
As you know, water is life and the Occupation is depriving us from this right through control of resources and destruction.....
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
The term "sewage tsunami" has come up in the media recently regarding the events of at the camp of Umm al-Nasr.
Can you tell us more about it?
Answer
On March 2007, five people from the Gaza Strip were dead in addition to several others injured and displaced from houses in Um Al Naser community after a flood of waste water near by this community.
This was a real humanitarian and environment crisis that is threatening thousands of people living near this area. The current closure and siege policy on the Gaza Strip is prohibiting entry of fuel, spare parts, and all other exports and imports into the Strip.
This is directly affecting the work of pumps removing waste water from the pools.
If this continues, it is very possible that the next catastrophe will be even worse.
This is in addition to the direct effect on the health and hygiene situation and the direct pollution to the only ground water source available for Palestinians in the Strip.
The international community need to do something now to stop this very possible crisis from happening again.
It is time to put more pressure on the Israeli side to end the siege policy and occupation of Gaza that never ended even after the disengagement in Sept. 2005 and to end occupation of all Palestinian areas.
Name
Rasha
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Do you receive any help from other countries regarding the water crisis either from Arab or Western countries?
Answer
Support for the water sector was very limited during the past year. Most of the support was directed towards food security and emergency support.
It is very important that the whole picture is seen clearly. The current social, economical and environmental crisis is caused directly by the Israeli Occupation, and this will never end until Occupation ends.
But until this happens, we need the international community to give direct support to the Palestinians, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. We also need them to help in putting more pressure to stop deteriorating humanitarian situation especially in the Gaza Strip.
Unemployment and poverty levels are getting worse and worse and this have a direct effect on the water, sanitation, and hygiene situation in addition to all other sectors, West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
You work with the NGO Palestinian Hydrology Group. What kind of areas are you involved in?
Answer
Palestinian Hydrology Group is one of the leading NGOs working in the water and environmental sector in Palestine. We work with the marginal Palestinian communities to help in solving problems and their effects on people.
This is done through supporting them in building rainfall collection cisterns, rehabilitation of local springs and water networks, work to increase public awareness about the water scarcity and the need not to waste any drop of water
This is done in addition to building the capacity of local councils and to make them able to manage the available water resources and its distribution.
Name
Mike
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
You describe a picture we rarely see.
Why is it that we never hear of these stories here in Europe if they are true?
Answer
It is so bad that this is a fact!
What is seen on the media is very much different than what is happening on the ground!
This is why the Palestinian Hydrology Group (PHG) took the responsibility since the start of the severe incursions on the OPT in April 2002 to launch the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Monitoring Program (WaSH MP).
The major aim of the program is to increase awareness about the WaSH situation and encourage mobilization around these issues. Please visit the site of the program:
I would also encourage you to come and visit the area and see and judge for yourself. These stories are true and the suffering that Palestinians are facing on a daily basis is great.
I could talk about the sector that I am involved in which is the water sector as an example. But it is the same in all sectors and even worse!
We say that the occupation has to end since it is the soul cause of all Palestinian suffering.
Name
Host
-
Profession
Answer
The session has ended.
We would like to thank Basema Bashir for taking the time to answer the questions.
We would also like to thank all those who participated in the live dialogue.
