ABSTRACT
Although disagreement regarding water sharing and rights did not start the Israeli–Arab conflict, in the past conflicts related to water usage and to proposed water projects led to explicit military clashes (Table 1). Unless the parties involved resolve water-related issues in an acceptable way, they could be a continuous source of threat to peace. Water-Related Ceasefire Incidents in the Jordan River System from 1951 to 1967 https://www.niso.org/standards/z39-96/ns/oasis-exchange/table">
Date
Incident
Immediate Issue
Underlying Issue
Resolution
Spring. 1951
Shooting in DMZ, both sides invade, Israel expels Arab villagers from DMZ, Israeli Air Force bombs al-Himmah.
Arab resistance to Israeli land seizure and expulsion from DMZ.
Huleh drainage in DMZ.
Security Council orders return of Arabs, but villages had been razed.
3-Sep-53
Shooting in DMZ.
Water diversion in DMZ by Israel.
Sovereignty over DMZ
UN orders work halt, US threatens to end aid, Israel moves intake out of DMZ.
12-Dec-55
Israelis hit Arab villages NE of L. Tiberias, kill 50 two days after firefight on lake.
Fishing rights.
Israeli sabteurs captured (1954) inside Syria.
Security Council condemns Israel, Syria declines Johnston Plan, prisoners return two months later.
31-Jan-62
Israel destroys Lower Tawafiq in DMZ.
Israeli drainage ditch in Arab village.
Use of land.
Syria complains to MAC, Israel boycotts.
13-Nov-64
Patrols, exchange of fire, bombing of Tell el-Qadi (Dan R. source).
Israeli road building in disputed territory.
Sovereignty over source of Dan R.
Both parties complain to security council; Soviets veto.
1-Jan-65
Fatah hits pump station (first in series of attacks on Israel).
Israeli existance.
Palestinian self-determination.
None.
Spring, 1965
Patrols firing on Israel-Syria border.
Road-building by Syria in Golan Heights.
Arab water diversion.
None.
14-Jul-66
Israeli air force bombs Syrian construction vehicles; air battle at Banias.
Alleged Syrian provocation.
Arab water diversion.
Security Council discusses; takes no action.
15-Aug-66
Ezchange of fire on L. Tiberias.
Patrolling; fishing.
Land use in DMZ.
Syrian note to Security Council.
2-Apr-67
Firefight in DMZ.
Arab water diversion.
Arab water diversion.
None.
7-Apr-67
Israeli air force bombs Golan; seen over Damascus.
Arab water diversion.
Arab water diversion.
MAC reconvened; no action.
Source: Naff, T. and R.C. Matson (eds.), Water in the Middle East: Conflict or Cooperation? (Boulder: Westview Press, 1984).