Jordan asks Israel to extend water deal
Jordan's water crisis has alarmed nationals and climate activists worldwide.
Jordan has asked Israel for an extension to the water-for-energy deal the pair signed in late 2023, Israeli news outlet Kan reported on March 3.
Said deal was also brokered by the United Arab Emirates and the United States, the latter of which is an ally of Israel notably as well as Jordan. The agreement is expected to dry up in May.
The project was first announced in 2021 and was for Jordan to build 600 megawatts of solar power capacity that would be exported to Israel. In return, Israel would provide Jordan, who have long been facing water shortages, with 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water.
The water crisis has angered concerned nationals who have pointed the finger at the government and King Abdullah II
It looks unexpected that a deal renewal will take place given Jordan’s repeated criticism of Israel for their massacre in Gaza.
READ: Angry Jordanians block UAE trucks from entering Israel
Jordan has called for a full ceasefire and a recognition of a Palestinian state which is at odds with the Netanyahu position.
The far-right Israeli premier has vowed to destroy Hamas and more worryingly, he has urged the “flattening “of Gaza.
Kan claimed that “Israel has not yet responded positively to the request, in light of the existing tension due to the war in Gaza.”
Tel Aviv have also been quoted saying that Jordan would need to water down criticism of the state for an extension to the agreement being on the table.
Kan added, “Israel also conveyed a message stressing the importance of restoring relations between the two countries to their previous state and returning the ambassadors of the two countries to Amman and Tel Aviv.”
Kan
