Troubled waters : the political and legal aspects of Israel's violations of the Palestinian's right to water

Abstract

This study presents and analyzes the political and legal aspects of the violations committed by Israel regarding the Palestinians’ right to water. The study introduces the geography of Palestine and its water sources; tackles the historical background underlying the value and significance of water in religious and Zionist thought; assesses the political impact of the recognition of Palestine as a nonmember observer state in the United Nations on Palestinian water rights; evaluates the legal dimensions of the Israeli violations of the Palestinian people's right to water resources starting by the international laws breached by Israel in the area of water resources; and investigates the international recognition of Israeli violations concerning Palestinian water resources and the consequences of establishing such recognition. It's worth noting that, the research was conducted based on numerous primary and secondary sources, including several interviews with Palestinian participants with an aim to answer the following question:What are the political and legal aspects of Israel’s violations of the Palestinian’s right to water? The study concluded with a set of research findings and recommendations to reach a mutual consensus that guarantees the rights of both parties.