عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Netanyahu Bows to US Pressure, Agrees to Pump Water into Jordan

A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border shows Jordanian soldiers praying in front of a national flag during a ceremony at the Jordan Valley site of Naharayim, also known as Baqura, east of the Jordan River on November 11, 2019. (AFP)
A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border shows Jordanian soldiers praying in front of a national flag during a ceremony at the Jordan Valley site of Naharayim, also known as Baqura, east of the Jordan River on November 11, 2019. (AFP)
TT
TT

Netanyahu Bows to US Pressure, Agrees to Pump Water into Jordan

A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border shows Jordanian soldiers praying in front of a national flag during a ceremony at the Jordan Valley site of Naharayim, also known as Baqura, east of the Jordan River on November 11, 2019. (AFP)
A picture taken from the Israeli side of the border shows Jordanian soldiers praying in front of a national flag during a ceremony at the Jordan Valley site of Naharayim, also known as Baqura, east of the Jordan River on November 11, 2019. (AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yielded to US pressure and agreed to the Jordanian government’s request for additional supplies of water, after several weeks of stalling.

Political sources in Tel Aviv said that Netanyahu was keen to make this move before US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel. The US official visited the country on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Israeli Energy and Water Minister Yuval Steinitz informed his Jordanian counterpart of Netanyahu’s decision to pump ten million cubic meters of water in the Jordan River, out of a total of 65 million cubic meters that it supplies annually.

The peace agreement between Jordan and Israel, signed in 1994, stipulates that Israel permanently supply Jordan with water pumped from the Sea of Galilee to the Jordan River via the King Abdullah Canal, with an amount of 55 million cubic meters per year.

Jordan’s water became scarce due to the Israeli water project that was implemented in the 1950s, according to which the water of the Yarmouk River was diverted to the desert Negev region in the Israeli south. However, Amman agreed to pay 10 US cents per cubic meter for the first 40 million cubic meters and 40 cents for every additional cubic meter.

With the influx of Iraqi and then Syrian refugees into Jordan, the country’s needs for water increased, reaching 55 million cubic meters. Then it demanded another 10 million cubic meters and agreed to pay the higher price to Israel.

But Netanyahu’s decision to delay the approval of the supply this year was not due to any water problem. On the contrary, Israel has seen this year great water abundance thanks to the expansion of a desalination project and a heavy rain season.

Political and security sources in Tel Aviv confirmed that the premier’s decision can be traced to the troubled Israeli-Jordanian relations, which the Haaretz daily described on March 26, as “a personal confrontation between Prime Minister Netanyahu and King Abdullah II.”

The newspaper said that Israeli officials, who have close ties with the Jordanian side, have expressed concern about Netanyahu’s position and the escalating tension between the two neighbors.

The same sources accused the prime minister of intentionally jeopardizing the peace agreements due to his personal enmity with the royal family in Jordan.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
TT
TT

US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)

The US State Department’s designation of Yemen’s Houthi militias as a “foreign terrorist organization” has been welcomed by the legitimate Yemeni government, but has triggered UN concerns over its impact on humanitarian access, with the international body calling for “guarantees.”

While Yemeni reports suggest the designation could economically strangle the Iran-backed Houthis, fears are mounting that the move may push them to derail the fragile truce, resume the war against the government, and escalate attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis.

It renewed its call for the international community to take similar steps to dry up the militias' funding, arms supplies, and to strengthen efforts aimed at restoring stability and peace in Yemen.

In a statement, Yemen’s Foreign Ministry stressed that the country has long suffered from the ravages of war and Iranian interference.

It called the US designation a reinforcement of its partnership with the United States and its allies in the fight against terrorism, hoping it will help curb activities that threaten the security of its citizens, the region, and global maritime trade.

The statement also affirmed Yemen's readiness to cooperate fully with international partners to ensure the effective implementation of the designation, aiming to serve the interests of the Yemeni people and promote peace and security in the region.

Amid concerns over the impact of the US designation on humanitarian efforts in Houthi-controlled areas, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called for US guarantees.

During a press briefing, he emphasized that the designation should be accompanied by “appropriate assurances” to ensure effective humanitarian aid delivery and to allow civilians access to essential goods and services.

Dujarric also highlighted the UN’s focus on humanitarian response in Yemen, where nearly 19 million people require life-saving assistance, and 17 million are at risk of famine.

He stressed the importance of maintaining the role of the private sector in securing basic needs.

Dujarric cautioned that any disruption in the flow of commercial goods and humanitarian aid could have catastrophic consequences, particularly in a country that relies on imports for around 90% of its food supply.