Israel: From Water Scarcity to Water Surplus

Israel is water scarce and approximately 60% desert, but it has nevertheless been able to maximize its limited water resources. The state is currently providing its surplus water to neighboring countries and has emerged as an international powerhouse for water technologies. This chapter asserts that even before Israel’s independence, its founding leaders understood the pivotal role of water. Their recognition stemmed from a blend of political objectives, the strategic hold of the land, and the need to sustain the country’s growing immigrant population. Guided by a foundational philosophy of “Water First,” the country embarked toward prosperity that continues to this day. This mindset evolved in response to the physical reality of water scarcity, deep historical and religious reverence for water, and a political and economic understanding of the importance of water. This mindset has guided a series of brave and daring decisions, leading to investing in unprecedented and elaborate infrastructure designed to transfer water from the country’s north to the south, creating the legal framework for water production, allocation, and provision, as well as strong administrative institutions to govern the system, cumulating in “Water for All” in this arid land. Today, government and academia consider Israel’s water policy and management as one of the key factors for its thriving economy.