Key facts
- Israel has refused to renew its water supply agreement with Jordan, reportedly violating their peace treaty.
- Jordan fears Israel is using water as a bargaining chip amid deteriorating relations.
- An Israeli official stated that while Israel supplies treaty-required water, there is no obligation for additional quantities.
- A trilateral summit involving the UAE, Israel, and Jordan has been proposed to discuss water supply.
- Jordan's King Abdullah II has ended his ambassador's mission in Israel.
Israel has reportedly refused to renew its water supply agreement with Jordan, a move that a Jordanian official described as a violation of the peace treaty between the two nations. The delay has intensified pressure on Jordan, which is heavily dependent on Israeli water resources. Amman fears that Israel is leveraging the water supply as a bargaining chip in their bilateral relations, particularly following the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to reports, Israel's government has not yet signed the renewal of the extended water supply agreement. A Jordanian official emphasized the critical importance of water to their country and its connection to the peace agreement, hinting at potential responses to Israel's delay. This situation follows King Abdullah II's earlier stance that a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be conditioned on resolving water supply issues and matters concerning the Palestinians.
Amidst these tensions, a proposal has emerged for a trilateral summit in Abu Dhabi, involving the energy ministers of the UAE, Israel, and Jordan. This summit aims to address the water supply agreement and potentially revive a joint Israeli-Jordanian desalinated water plant project, with Abu Dhabi seeking to de-escalate tensions.
An Israeli official, however, stated that Israel continues to supply the water quantities required by the peace treaty but has no obligation to provide additional amounts. The official cited Israel's need to fill its own reservoirs for agricultural purposes after experiencing one of the driest years in a century. The official also indicated that Israel expects warmer relations in return for its assistance and that the proposed summit could cover normalization, water, and bilateral ties.
Water supply has been a crucial issue between Jordan and Israel since their 1994 peace treaty. Initially, Israel agreed to provide 50 million cubic meters of water annually, with both countries committed to managing regional water scarcity. In 2021, this supply was increased to 100 million cubic meters per year for a three-year term. However, Netanyahu's government has since refused to extend the deal for more than six months, while Jordan seeks a five-year extension.
Bilateral relations have significantly deteriorated since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict in 2023, with Jordan recalling its ambassador to Israel in November 2023. The ambassador's mission in Israel is officially ending on July 15, with no replacement appointed. Reports suggest Israel is using water as a diplomatic tool with Jordan, similar to accusations of using water restrictions as a weapon of war in Gaza.
The global context of water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, makes water supply a critical issue, particularly in the Middle East. Israel is a leader in desalination technology, with plans to significantly increase its production capacity by 2050.