Water Conflict: Economics, Politics, Law and Palestinian-Israeli Water Resources [Hardcover]

Sharif S. Elmusa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1998 | ISBN-10: 0887282687 | ISBN-13: 978-0887282683

This pioneering study of the conflict over the natural water resources of geographic Palestine - Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip - is the first comprehensive examination of all the region's shared water sources and the economics of their use in agriculture, households and industry. Dr. Elmusa's detailed survey of the surface and groundwater resources provides essential data for understanding both the extent and the limits of the water supply for Israelis and Palestinians. By focusing on both the scarcity and the commonality of the water resources, he demonstrates why water has become a contentious issue between Israel and the Palestinians. Despite the problems with water supply during the Israeli occupation, the author believes that the peace negotiations mark an historic turning point in the conflict over water. He discusses in original details how the principles of equitable utilization and joint management of their common water resources can be achieved and can enhance the prospects for reducing conflict over water. Thus, how the conflict over water is resolved will test overall Palestinian-Israeli cooperation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author knows the subject, has an excellent command of the facts and has exercised good judgement in elucidating the key issues. Anyone reading the book, whether from an academic or policy perspective, will benefit greatly from the author's command of his subject and his mature, often dispassionate treatment of the very contentious issues at stake." -- Fredric C. Hof, Armitage Associates

If you can read only one book on this important subject, particularly from the regularly underrepresented Palestinian perspective, this should be it. -- Aaron T. Wolf, Oregon State University

From the Publisher

Sharif S. Elmusa received a Ph.D. in regional development and planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a BS in civil engineering from Cairo University. He has worked as a consultant/author with the United Nations Development Program, the World Food Program, the World Resources Institute and the Library of Congress. He has served as an advisor in the "land-and-water working group" with the Palestinian delegation in bilateral talks with Israel in Washington in 1992-93. He has published numerous articles on technology, natural resources and economic development.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Inst for Palestine Studies (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887282687
• ISBN-13: 978-0887282683
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,835,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book if you want in depth detail, May 1, 2001

By 

J. Hammad (Over Yonder) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Water Conflict: Economics, Politics, Law and Palestinian-Israeli Water Resources (Hardcover)

I ordered and read this book during me research on the feasibility of building a desalination plant in Gaza. It provided all of the details on water quality in the Palestinian territories that I could have asked for.

Be advised that this is the product of research oriented writing, and not bed time reading material. It includes enough commentary on the Israeli practice of piping quality water out of the Gaza Strip into Israel proper and other Israeli water practices that are malicious.

Equally upsetting is the spoiling of water aquifers in Gaza by overpumping. As salt water creeps in, these aquifers are lost forever. The book provides credible and supporting evidence that the water in the Gaza Strip will get progressively worse, and will leave the area waterless in the foreseable future.