Israel steals water in the West Bank from Palestinians and provides it to the settlers for free. This week, Israel’s military closed water holes in Al-Jiftlik village in the northern Jordan Valley.
The lives of these 4,700 Palestinian residents revolve around the periods that Israel does provide water, which differ weekly. For example, one week it was from 11 p.m. until dawn, then the following week from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m.
In 2017, the village’s average water supply was 62 liters/person/day, 38 liters fewer than the World Health Organization’s minimum. The water is used for human consumption, agriculture, livestock, and household chores. The Israeli settlers in the area receive nearly eight times more water.
Because Israel prevents the repair of water systems, the village has decaying water pipes, no formal sanitation system, and no ability to test water quality—exposing people to infections caused by poor hygiene habits, such as eating unwashed vegetables or improper hand-washing.
Download our complete list of water facts here.
