The state of Israel/Palestine is located within the arid semi-arid climatic context, which is going through a process of desertification. The essay aims to identify water management ‘regulations’, and their development along history within a shared spatial context. The first chapter is focused on geology and geopolitical implication of water scarcity in the region. Human settlements and their inseparable dependency on water - were presence in the region since early days of mankind. The Levant’s water scarcity was addressed by ancient water management techniques, which enabled the development of prosperous communities within it, as discussed by anthropologic scope in the second chapter.  The third, fourth and fifth chapters discuss key legislation, development processes, environmental implication and actors within the state of Israel short - but intense, strategic water management history. The seventh chapter is a reflection concerning society’s water management, the tensions and similarities between social order and regulatory framework - using the above as evidence base for the discussion. I would like to add, that within the research scope some cultures which existed (and some, still do) on ground - are not covered in the essay. This fact doesn’t have any intention to allude their presence or absence within Israel/Palestine modern territory.

 

Essay heads:

1. Water scarcity in the Levant

2. Prehistoric and Ancient history of water access management in the Levant

3. Modern history of water management in Palestine mandate and the state of Israel 1917-1964

4. Environmental implication of inadequate water management announce the era of desalination

5. The water reform, key actors and strategic plans

6. Society's water management - reflection based on historic and contemporary evidence & conclusions