Bound Volume Number
V
Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-4-2015
Capstone Advisor
Dr. Miriam Elman
Honors Reader
Dr. G. Matthew Bonham
Capstone Major
Political Science
Capstone College
Arts and Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Keywords
water rights, Israel, Palestine
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Social Sciences
Subject Categories
International Relations
Abstract
Hope for an imminent two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at an extreme low. The failure to reach a comprehensive peace agreement has precluded progress on cooperative water management. A new agreement on water could benefit both sides and help protect important water resources from environmental degradation, yet no talks have occurred outside of more difficult comprehensive negotiations. This has resulted in a humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip, lower quantities of quality drinking water for all Palestinians, and impediments in economic development. This paper argues through literature review and polling data that a new approach for negotiations is needed. Then, through interviews with experts, this paper recommends that starting a new round of negotiations with a separate track on water that is not contingent upon a final status agreement could be a path forward. Such an agreement could improve the lives of citizens on the ground, while simultaneously serving as a trust-building step between the two sides.
Recommended Citation
Zeliff, Zachary, "Water Politics in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Path Forward?" (2015). Honors Capstone Projects - All. 859.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/859
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
