Israel Declines to Renew Water Agreement with Jordan Amid Rising Tensions

Israel has declined to renew its water agreement with Jordan, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, which reported that the refusal remains in place as of now. This development has sparked warnings from Israeli sources about possible Jordanian anger and retaliatory measures from Amman.

The water agreement, based on the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan, allowed Jordan to receive additional water supplies at discounted rates. However, the agreement has not been renewed to date, and there are currently no expectations for its signing, the Israeli broadcaster stated.

Unnamed Israeli sources conveyed that this stance has provoked frustration in Jordan, potentially prompting Amman to take responsive actions. The reasons behind Israel’s refusal to renew the agreement were not clarified.

Jordan has not issued an official statement regarding the matter. Nevertheless, the state-run "Al Mamlaka" channel reported in February that the Jordanian government had prepared an alternative plan to discontinue reliance on the additional water purchases from Israel. This plan aims to secure water security independently of external pressures or changing circumstances.

Water Agreement as a Peace Treaty Component

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority cited an unnamed Jordanian official who emphasized the critical importance of the water issue, describing it as an integral part of the peace agreement. This remark was interpreted as reflecting Jordan’s dissatisfaction with the transformation of the water file—from a subject long kept separate from political disputes—into a bargaining tool from the Israeli perspective.

Under the current water agreement, Israel transfers 100 million cubic meters of water annually to Jordan, doubling the 50 million cubic meters stipulated in the peace treaty. This arrangement is exchanged for Jordan producing electricity for Israel.

The outbreak of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023 prevented the renewal of the agreement, which expired approximately eight months ago. The failure to renew coincides with escalating political tensions between Amman and Tel Aviv, particularly following Jordan’s rejection of Israeli calls to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and the continuation of popular protests condemning the war in the Gaza Strip.