The real reason Israel will never return the West Bank

[Jeff Lebowski]

Forget all this talk about security and buffer zones. Water is the key. This is one of the most arid regions in the world and water is essential to basic human survival, agriculture, and a sustainable economy. Depending on who you believe, 80-90% of the water in the region (Israel/West Bank) is controlled by the Israelis. There is a "Palestinian Water Authority", but they are not allowed to drill new wells without a permit from the Israeli government. Such permits are seldom granted.

Geography and geology play a key role. The largest aquifer in the region is the "Western Aquifer" and it is 2/3 in the West Bank and 1/3 in Israel. However, the "recharge zone" for the aquifer is almost entirely in the West Bank. The aquifer slopes from east to west and it is exposed (intersects the ground surface) in the West Bank. The western portion is underground and is overlain by an aquitard (low permeability confining unit). Furthermore, the West Bank is higher in elevation and gets more rainfall. Thus, you can picture the aquifer as a big tube where the open end of the tube surfaces in the West Bank where water enters the tube.

Water is extracted from the Western Aquifer via wells and springs. The springs are primarily on the border region of the West Bank and Israel (i.e., the "green line"). If you look at the location of the recently-constructed "security wall", you will notice that it follows a highly-erratic path and cuts well into the West Bank territory. One of the primary reasons for this path is that it captures most of the springs in the region. Further, if you look at a map of wells, you will notice a dense line of wells just on the Israeli side of the green line. As soon as the water crosses into Israel, they pump it out. Furthermore, most of the wells in the West Bank feed into pipes that send the water to Israel.

What does this mean? It means that the West Bank is the principal source of water for the region. If the Palestinians were given full autonomy in the West Bank, they could theoretically drill new wells and pump the Western Auquifer dry before the water has a chance to flow west across the Israeli border. Since water = life, it is tough to envision the Israelis relinquishing control.

There is ample proof that the Israelis are serious about water. A few years ago the Syrians starting to build a dam on a small stream that feeds into Northern Israel. The Israelis sent F-16s and destroyed the dam with bombs.

[MikeWaters]

Very interesting, until the other thread was brought up, I had no idea that the Israeli oppression involved water.

But yet, we are taught everyday in America that the Israelis are the victims and the Palestinians are the oppressors.

Again on the summary points from the Palestinian negotiaters, water figured prominently.

[SeattleUte]

Assuming this is true you expect Israel to commit suicide?

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Assuming this is true you expect Israel to commit suicide?

No, we thought Israel committing murder is more like it.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Assuming this is true you expect Israel to commit suicide?

Just another reason why the whole situation makes me sick.

The cost in terms of blood, treasure, and lost innocence required to establish and maintain Israel is staggering.

[MikeWaters]

What happens if Palestinians attempt to drill illegal wells?

[MikeWaters]

http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article14

Again, who is the oppressor?

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article14

Again, who is the oppressor?

Who are you actually arguing with right now?

[MikeWaters]

http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article7

I did not know about the road complex in the West Bank. Amazing.

Also the population of settlers has INCREASED since the disengagement policy by Israel.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article7

I did not know about the road complex in the West Bank. Amazing.

Also the population of settlers has INCREASED since the disengagement policy by Israel.

Yes. Palestinians must use dirt roads and trails with a myriad of fences and checkpoints. It often takes all day just to travel a few kilometers. In the meantime, the settlers zip by in their mercedes and bmw's on beautiful new roads.

Again, good luck developing any kind of economy without access to basic infrastructure or water. They will never escape poverty status under these conditions. Poverty leads to desperation. Which leads to folks like SU labeling them as evil, warmongering degenerates, unworthy of our sympathy.