How Israel uses Water as a Weapon

Israel steals water in the West Bank from Palestinians and provides it to the settlers for free. This week, Israel’s military closed water holes in Al-Jiftlik village in the northern Jordan Valley.

The lives of these 4,700 Palestinian residents revolve around the periods that Israel does provide water, which differ weekly. For example, one week it was from 11 p.m. until dawn, then the following week from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m.

In 2017, the village’s average water supply was 62 liters/person/day, 38 liters fewer than the World Health Organization’s minimum. The water is used for human consumption, agriculture, livestock, and household chores. The Israeli settlers in the area receive nearly eight times more water.

Because Israel prevents the repair of water systems, the village has decaying water pipes, no formal sanitation system, and no ability to test water quality—exposing people to infections caused by poor hygiene habits, such as eating unwashed vegetables or improper hand-washing.

Source: PNN, DCI

Download our complete list of water facts here.

The last boat maker in Gaza

“Boat making is almost nonexistent in Gaza today,” said Abdullah. “That is because of the high costs involved, the fact that raw materials are scarce and the restrictions placed on fishers.”

…Throughout his career, Abdullah al-Najjar has made around 30 trawlers. Such vessels are 17.5 meters long, 5.5 meters wide and 2.5 meters in height.

They can command a price of $70,000 each.

Abdullah’s business has nearly collapsed since Israel’s blockade on Gaza was severely tightened in 2007. He has made just two boats in the past 13 years; one of them was for use by his own sons. ‘Fishers have stopped buying new boats,” he said.’ “

The last boat maker in Gaza

Abdullah al-Najjar (left) has worked more on mending boats than on making new ones in recent times.

Abed Zagout/The Electronic Intifada

The Occupation as Viewed by a Fisherman

“Khader al-Saidi lost his eyesight and sense of smell when Israeli navy forces fired rubber-coated steel bullets at his face while he was fishing in the sea off Gaza.

The 32-year-old was silent at first when The Electronic Intifada came to interview him.

His father, Marwan, had already cautioned that Khader may halt the interview at any moment.

Marwan filled the silence. He spoke of the family’s long history of making a living from fishing, of how his grandfathers used to fish the sea before him and how the 60-year-old’s own sons had followed in his footsteps.

Fishing is an integral part of Gaza’s culture, nutrition and economy. Israel’s routine attacks on fishers in Gaza continue to devastate the industry.

…This was Khader’s fifth arrest since he started fishing at 12 years old.”

Read more here:

How Israel stole this fisherman’s sight and sense of smell

Posters celebrating Khader al-Saidi’s release surround his home. /Abed ZagoutThe Electronic Intifada

Group Deplores Mental Health Impact of Trump's 'Peace Plan'

The January 2020 Trump/Kushner plan for Israel/Palestine, ironically titled Peace to Prosperity, is a flawed, ahistorical document that is basically a gift to the Israeli government, affirming and giving international blessings to much of the status quo. The document claims that decades-long problems can only be solved by ignoring history and international law and proposing technocratic solutions to political problems and issues of social justice.

The Gaza Mental Health Foundation is focused on supporting institutions in Gaza that sustain research and treatment for psychological disorders grounded in traditional psychiatric theory and practice as well as an understanding that mental health cannot exist without human rights.

To this end, recognizing that the Trump plan makes no mention of human rights for Palestinians and no acknowledgement of the Israeli military aggression that is a core feature of occupation and siege, we deplore this latest development.

This proposal will also have a serious negative impact for those living in the region, increasing the already massive stressors on the economy, health, housing, education, access to water, and raising the level of despair and poverty. Thus from a clinical point of view, looking at the plan’s impact on physical and mental health, we also express our deep concern.

We join many in the US and the international community in exposing this plan as a carefully worded political charade that cannot possibly be supported by those who care about a viable future for Israelis and Palestinians and by those who understand the realities on the ground.

Alice Rothchild, for the board of the Gaza Mental Health Foundation