Palestinian Water Authority: Developments and Challenges — Legal Framework and Capacity

Abstract

Water in Palestine is the most scarce resource and Palestinians have no control over their water resources. The complex political context has exacerbated the limited water resources of Palestine. Palestinians and Israelis share several aquifers that serve as their long-term storage basins but have yet to reach a resolution to the conflict over control, management and equitable use of the riparian resources. Against this background, the Palestinian Water Authority was established to manage and supervise the water resources in Palestine. It faces major challenges especially since the water supply for Palestinians are inadequate and remains under the control of Israel. This chapter looks that the legal and regulatory framework of the Palestinian Water and the water sector in Palestine and the laws that governed it during successive governing regimes.