Feasibility Study for Cooperation in Wastewater Treatment Plants and Landfills for Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank

Abstract

This study examines the feasibility of cooperation and of joint wastewater-treatment plants (WWTP) and municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills to be shared by Israeli settlements with the Palestinian population in the West Bank. Five feasibility factors were weighed: geographical and environmental considerations, technical aspects, institutional factors, financial options and political constraints.

The geographical and environmental considerations involve the spatial arrangement of the Israeli settlements and the Palestinian population in the West Bank as well as attendant environmental issues. The technical aspects are related to the differences in environmental and technical capacities and an evaluation of if, and how, these technical differences can be bridged. The institutional factors were examined in the light of the existing institutional framework and how it might function in the agreements between the parties. The financial issues were explored in the context of the present situation regarding the financing of such projects by both parties and how these arrangements can be applied in a cooperative manner. The political constraints, which are viewed by the parties as the most challenging, were examined in light of the parties’ political views as they relate to environmental cooperation. Five case studies between Israelis and Palestinians are described.

The chapter, which explores cooperation for the prevention of pollution of the shared mountain aquifer, has reached the conclusion that cooperation exists between Israeli settlers and Palestinians even though some political and institutional factors do not support cooperation. This cooperation stems from geographical, environmental and technical constraints, and overcomes financial constraints. Local initiatives are the main facilitator to cooperate rather than organized, national initiatives. They are not a result of the urgent need to prevent potential and actual pollution to the shared aquifer. This cooperation can be extended as political constraints change in the future.