Joint Israel-Palestinian Call to Protect Water Supply
(February 1, 2001)
Israel and the Palestinian
Authority have issued a joint call to refrain from harming the water infrastructure and water supply to both Israelis and Palestinians in
the West Bank and Gaza.
The document was concluded in a Israeli-Palestinian-American meeting
of the Joint Water Committee yesterday, January 31, at Erez Crossing.
The Israeli delegation was headed by Mr. Noah Kinarty, and the
ranking Palestinian representative was Mr. Nabil el Sharif.
The meeting was conducted in a friendly atmosphere, and the parties
reiterated their commitment to continue cooperation on water-related issues.
The following is the text of the joint declaration:
ISRAELI - PALESTINIAN JOINT WATER COMMITTEE
Joint Declaration for Keeping the Water Infrastructure
out of the Cycle of Violence
The Israeli and Palestinian sides view the water and waste water
sphere as a most important matter and strongly oppose any damage to
water and wastewater infrastructure.
The two sides are taking all possible measures to supply water and
treat wastewater in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, even in the
difficult circumstances of the recent months.
The two sides wish to bring to public attention that the Palestinian
and Israeli water and wastewater infrastructure is mostly intertwined
and serves both populations. Any damage to such systems will harm
both Palestinians and Israelis.
A special effort is being made by the two sides to ensure the water
supply to the Palestinian and Israeli cities, towns and villages in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In order for this effort to succeed, we
need the cooperation and support of all the population, both Israeli
and Palestinian. We call on the general public not to damage in any
way the water infrastructure, including pipelines, pumping stations,
drilling equipment, electricity systems and any other related
infrastructure.
The two sides also call on those involved in the current crisis not
to harm in any way the professional teams that conduct regular
maintenance or repair damage and malfunctions to the water and
wastewater infrastructure.
Both sides wish to take this opportunity to reiterate their
commitment to continued cooperation in the water and wastewater
spheres.
Done at the Erez Crossing, This 31 January 2001.
Noah Kinarty
Head of the Israeli side
to the JWC
Nabil El-Sherif
Head of the Palestinian side
of the JWC
Sources: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs |