Turning Water Into Politics: The Water Issue in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict [Hardcover]

Alwyn R. Rouyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2000 | ISBN-10: 031222611X | ISBN-13: 978-0312226114

This book is a clear and comprehensive examination of the water issue in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and peace process. The water dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians seldom grabs newspaper headlines like the issues of Jerusalem or Jewish settlements, but no permanent peace accord can be achieved between these two people without agreement over allocations of shared water resources. While historical, environmental, and economic dimensions of the issue are examined, the book demonstrates the essential political nature of the dispute and concludes that it can be solved only through political accommodation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Recommended for public and academic library collections, lower-division undergraduate and up. Choice

About the Author

Alwyn R. Rouyer is Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Idaho.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (January 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031222611X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312226114
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,132,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guide to Understanding the Israel-Palestine Conflict, June 8, 2000

By 

K. Richert (Richland, Washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turning Water Into Politics: The Water Issue in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (Hardcover)

Turning Water into Politics is an excellent general survey of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict with particular emphasis on the fundamental problems of water allocation in an area with a limited supply of water. It includes a review of the factors leading to the creation of the state of Israel, the 1967 war and the resulting continuing tensions in the Middle East.

I was impressed by the author's objectivity in presenting a detailed review of the economical, technical and political positions of both sides of a very intractable situation. I was encouraged by the concluding chapter, which provides an detailed analysis of possible strategies for resolving the fundamental problems dealing with water use in the Middle East. This book provides a timely, comprehensive and well-written basis for understanding the almost daily news reports of the ongoing negotiations involving this explosive situation.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informed, Balanced Account of the Water Issue, June 4, 2000

By 

Bruce Borthwick - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turning Water Into Politics: The Water Issue in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (Hardcover)

The result of several trips to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, more than 70 interviews with Israelis and Palestinians, meticulous and careful research, this book is "must" reading for those interested in the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis. It examines just one point of contention, water, but makes it clear that this resource is in very short supply for both peoples, and is inequitably distributed between them. It also lays out in considerable detail the water crisis of catastrophic proportions which both peoples face.

The book is accurate and informed, clear and well-written, scrupulously documented, and always fair to both sides. It reads easily, eschews jargon, and has just enough technical information to substantiate the arguments of the author. Whether one is interested in water and environmental issues, the domestic politics of Israel, or the struggle and negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, this book can be read in order to get a broad understanding of facts and issues.

The author's argument is that politics has caused the conflict between the two peoples, not water, and politics will resolve the conflict, but in order for this to take place there must be enough water for all, and it must be equitably distributed.