Following the proactive efforts of Jordan in intercepting an Iranian threat, Israel is set to reward its neighbor with an extension of a vital water agreement.
According to reports, Jordan played a pivotal role in the Western coalition’s efforts to counter Iran’s aggression by shooting down dozens of Iranian drones aimed at Israel. Officially, Jordan acknowledged engaging with drone bodies that had entered its airspace. “We dealt with some of the drone bodies that entered our airspace and intercepted them to prevent them from endangering the safety of our citizens and inhabited areas,” stated the Jordanian government.
This collaboration appears to have been a decisive factor for Israel, influencing its decision to grant an extension of the water agreement with Jordan, despite previous hesitation and provocative statements from Jordanian officials. It now appears that, in light of Jordanian assistance, the Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen will now prolong the agreement for an additional year.
The context of this diplomatic maneuver is complex and multifaceted. Jordan is grappling with a severe water crisis, exacerbated by years of drought, climate change impacts, and the substantial influx of Syrian refugees. The water deficit in the kingdom is estimated at about one billion cubic meters annually. The Jordanian-Israeli water agreement, therefore, is not merely a diplomatic tool but an essential lifeline for Jordan.
Under the terms of the Jordan Valley Agreement, Israel is committed to transferring 50 million cubic meters of water annually to Jordan. In mid-2021, Israel doubled the transfer to 100 million cubic meters under a three-year deal set to expire soon. Despite the initial reluctance, Israel’s reciprocity in extending the water agreement is anticipated to be a gesture of gratitude for Jordan’s defensive actions.
The extension, however, is not as long as Jordan initially requested. Originally, a five-year extension was sought by the Hashemite Kingdom. Following Israel’s hesitation, the Hashemite Kingdom softened its request, asking for a one-year extension.
The implications of this diplomatic exchange go beyond the immediate relief for Jordan’s water crisis. It serves as a pragmatic illustration of how shared security concerns can lead to cooperation, even among countries with complex and sometimes contentious relationships. The Iranian threat has acted as a catalyst for collaboration, potentially setting a precedent for future partnerships under similar threats.
Israel’s extension of the water agreement with Jordan might also be seen as part of a larger pattern of tactical alliances emerging in the face of shared adversaries. It remains to be seen how this extension will influence Jordanian-Israeli relations in the long term and whether it will pave the way for more stable and enduring cooperation between the two nations.
Relevant articles:
– Israel to extend water agreement with Jordan
– Jordan-Israel Water Agreement: A Diplomatic Reward Amidst Regional Tensions, Watan, Mon, 15 Apr 2024 16:45:32 GMT