Ejaz Khan 

Israel has cut the water in Palestinians areas of the West Bank, Palestine. Ayman Rabi of the Palestine Hydrology group spoke to Radio Islam from the West Bank on how people’s lives have been affected.

Why is Israel cutting water supplies?

“There is no answer on that. They just did it all of a sudden. Now we are faced with Escalating heat, Holy month of ramadaaan, Lack of water. Water cut off and reduction adding to already unsafe daily water needs.”

On Mekorot, the company in charge of providing water to the West Bank:

“Unfortunately, there is no logical reason behind the cut off…
This is the kind of policy followed Almost every year.
In order to supply Israelis settlements at our expense, they reduce our water.
When it is going to be reconnected or if it is going to be, Nobody knows, no clear answers. They just act, and we face the consequences.”

Alternatives available to west bank residents?

“Limited. The only available option is buying water from tankers,
which are sourced from unprotected springs…
Not healthy not safe, likely might cause health problems…
Other than that, There are no other alternatives.
Some have not received water for 40 days and it’s going to get longer.”

On what the Palestine Authority is doing to help:

“The Palestine Authority has no authority over water.
Just acting in area A but in area C (totally under Israel) they have NO say.
We are trying hard to lobby but it takes time before anything happens on the ground.”

Follow Ejaz Khan on twitter: @ejaz_k