In April 2005, the Commission on Sustainable Development adopted a decision which
recognized that ecosystem services are essential for human beings, especially in the
framework of integrated water resources management (IWRM). This decision found the
State of Israel in the midst of a severe water management crisis which has been on the
national agenda since 2000. During 2000, the Israel government took a decision to act
according to the principles of IWRM in order to face and overcome the water crisis. This
discussion paper will focus on three of these principles within the framework of Israel’s
effort to implement a sustainable approach to the management of its scarce water sources.
Israel is located in a semi-arid climatic zone and its natural water sources are severely
limited. Nevertheless, in the first decades following its establishment in 1948, Israel
succeeded in establishing a reliable and technologically advanced water supply system
which serves a variety of uses and is based on the integrated utilization of the country’s
water sources. The gradual increase in water consumption in Israel due to accelerated
development and the rise in standard of living virtually forced the country to provide a
dynamic response to the quantity and quality of water supply. During this period, the
country sought to implement a water source management approach which incorporates
long-term sustainability and economic considerations in relation to ecosystem services
that are essential for human well-being. Apparently, however, these considerations were
insufficient.