Israel’s efforts at water diplomacy make slow progress
Israel is keen on leveraging its water technology and achievements in exploiting limited water resources to build ties with the Arab world.
Al-Monitor Pro Members
David Rosenberg
Israeli reporter specializing in business, economics and politics
July 31, 2023
Israel is keen on leveraging its water technology and achievements in exploiting limited water resources to build ties with the Arab world. As part of that drive, the government plans to send a 1,000-person delegation to the COP-28 climate conference next November in Dubai. The Abraham Accords have opened opportunities for partnerships in water and climate tech generally between Israel and signatory countries. But while deals have been announced, follow-through has been slow. Political strains since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government took power are undercutting plans for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. However, water collaboration may now gain momentum as necessity increasingly outweighs politics. The July heat wave has pointed up the rapidly developing impact of climate change on Middle East and North African water supplies.