Israel faces water security pressure amid climate change

Israel is facing increased pressure on its water supplies as population growth and climate change outpace current production capacities. Following two years of below-average precipitation, the country is heavily reliant on desalination plants, which Water Authority Director Yehezkel “Hezi” Lifshitz described as the “Iron Dome of the water sector.”

Climate change is complicating the crisis, with rising temperatures and more intense but shorter rainfall periods reducing the natural replenishment of groundwater and reservoirs. While the upcoming winter is projected to be wetter, with precipitation potentially reaching 100% to 120% of seasonal averages, experts note that even high rainfall will not resolve long-term needs.

Infrastructure challenges also persist, as several desalination projects have faced delays due to pandemic-related complications, interest rate hikes, and regional conflicts. Additionally, Israel maintains a strategic obligation under the 1994 Peace Accords to supply 50 million cubic meters of water annually to Jordan.