Mekorot, Israel’s National Water Company, started digging in the north western side of Marda village in synchronization with discovering a hug water reservoir in the region. The location of the drill is about 400m away from the houses of Marda and adjacent to road ‘505 known as "Aber Al-Samra".
For the fourth consecutive week, the Israeli occupation continues to build a big water reservoir which is over 400m3 in area on the eastern lands of Marda. The reservoir is expected to serve "Kfar Tapuah" colony in the heart of Salfit governorate.
Picture 1: The new water reservoir
|
|
|
|
Pictures 2+3: The digging operation for the new water cistern
A total takeover on water supply of the West Bank:
According to a study by the World Bank, the water share of the Israeli occupation is 4 times than the Palestinians’ in the West Bank and Gaza. The occupation enacts laws that ensures total control over water resources in the West Bank and Gaza.
Not only does the occupation steal Palestinian resources of water, any well digging operations or pipes extension by Palestinians must first get the Israeli permit which requires a complicated bureaucratic process. By doing so, the Israeli occupation authorities prevent Palestinians from taking advantage of their water resources while they allow themselves to control over 80% of Palestinian water supply which considers a blatant contravention to the accords signed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Introduction about Israel’s control over water supply in the West Bank:
Israel understood early the importance of the water resources in the West Bank, so it worked on making decisions that allow taking over them. The first Israeli order regarding the issue was in 1967 by which it allowed Israelis to take over all the water resources in the occupied cities that year. It also considered the resources property of Israel and related foundations. Later on, the Israeli Municipality disallowed any Palestinian to get permits if they want to renovate old wells or build new ones.
Eventually, water shortage has become a main problem to Palestinians, especially with the Apartheid Wall creeping in and devouring vast areas of agricultural lands. The role played by the Palestinian agricultural industry is diminishing while unemployment rates are skyrocketing and poverty is getting worse as 60% of the Palestinian population are considered under the poverty line.
New studies show that Israel uses over 90% of renewable water annually for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses.
