Israel gives Pal. Authority limited water autonomy in West Bank
The Palestinian Authority now has autonomy over water projects in Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank, a Palestinian official told The Jerusalem Post.
Dib Abdel Ghafour, a top official at the PA Water Authority, announced the change Monday, just one day after Israelis and Palestinian signed an agreement to reconvene the Joint Water Committee for the West Bank, which last met in 2010.
UN official: Israeli-Palestinian water talks important for two-state solution
The document was signed by the Coordinator for Government Affairs in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai and Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh.
“I believe this is a step in the direction of comprehensive peace agreement with the Israeli government and a real and serious peace that gives Palestinians and Israelis a real chance…I know there is a huge crisis of trust between the two sides, but what strengthens trust [between us] is what it is agreed upon between us,” Sheikh said after signing the agreement.
The reestablishment of the committee will allow for the advancement of 97 Palestinian water and sewerage projects that have been suspended for more than six years.