Water crisis may help Israel-Syria ties

Experts suggest cooperation on aquifers and advanced water technologies could stabilize Syria’s economy and promote cooperation between the countries 

The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria last month has led to widespread discussions, primarily focused on security and geopolitical concerns. Major questions include whether Ahmad Hussein al-Sharaa, the jihadist-turned-moderate leader now in power, will revert to extremist roots or lead Syria in a more Western direction. Other issues drawing attention are inter-sectarian tensions, the future of Syria’s Alawite community, Turkey’s possible aggression toward Kurdish regions, and how long the Israeli military will remain in Syrian military outposts seized after the regime’s collapse.
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תיעוד מהמחסור במים שפקד את דמשק
תיעוד מהמחסור במים שפקד את דמשק
Locals dealing with water shortage in Damascus
(Photo: Hassan Ammar / AP)
However, there is another angle that has gone largely unnoticed: an opportunity for Israel to build ties with Syria’s new regime by addressing a critical issue—its decades-long water crisis. Experts from Ben-Gurion University suggest Israel could use its expertise in water management to foster cooperation with its northern neighbor.
Professor Eilon Adar, a hydrogeologist at Ben-Gurion University, explains that Syria and Israel share the Eastern Hermon Aquifer, a vital water source for both countries. This aquifer feeds springs in northern Israel, which supply much of the Jordan River's water, as well as springs in Syria's Damascus Basin, the main water source for the Syrian capital and surrounding areas. For over 40 years, Damascus has suffered from severe water shortages caused by over-extraction, climate change, and a lack of effective management. The result has been the drying up of wells, damage to agriculture, and a mass migration from rural areas to the capital.
Adar believes that stabilizing the Syrian economy will require addressing the water crisis, and the Eastern Hermon Aquifer could serve as a foundation for cooperation. “Both Israel and Syria have natural rights to this shared resource,” he says, adding that Israel’s expertise in groundwater development could help Syria maximize its water supply while benefiting both nations.
Professor Arnon Karnieli, an expert in remote sensing, has studied the drastic decline in water availability for Syrian agriculture in recent decades. He points to Turkey’s reduction of water flow from the Euphrates River as a major factor. Turkey, which controls the source of the Euphrates, has built massive dams and reservoirs as part of its Southeastern Anatolia Project, cutting off much of the water supply to Syria. This has devastated Syrian agriculture, particularly crops like cotton that depend on irrigation from the river.
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אחמד א-שרע אל ג'ולאני
אחמד א-שרע אל ג'ולאני
Ahmad al-Sharaa
(Photo: Ammar Awad / Reuters)
“When the Syrian uprisings began in 2011, Turkey used the chaos to further restrict water flow,” says Karnieli. “By essentially shutting off the tap, Turkey ensured its own agricultural success while crippling Syria’s.” Karnieli argues that this contributed to the economic and social instability that helped spark Syria’s civil unrest.
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Despite these challenges, Karnieli sees an opportunity for Israel to assist Syria’s new regime by sharing technology and expertise. This could include methods for desalinating brackish water and using remote sensing to locate untapped water sources. Such cooperation, he says, could help revive Syrian agriculture and provide the regime with much-needed stability as it rebuilds.
Both Adar and Karnieli agree that water management could serve as a bridge for Israel to foster better relations with Syria. While it remains unclear whether Syria’s new leadership would accept such cooperation, the opportunity for Israel to extend a hand remains significant. As Adar notes, “This is a chance for Israel to offer its knowledge and capabilities on a critical issue, potentially paving the way for a more peaceful relationship with its northern neighbor.”
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