Integrating Political and Technical Approaches: Lessons from the Israeli-Jordanian Water Negotiations

Abstract

The chapter looks into water disputes in protracted conflicts and focuses on the case between Israel and Jordan, giving most attention to water aspects of the peace treaty of 1994. Special emphasis is put on the procedural setting of the peace process, where bilateral negotiations on political core issues were combined with parallel multilateral talks on technical matters. These parallel talks proved to be a helpful complement to the diplomatic efforts, paved the way for compromises over the issue of water distribution and improved confidence for resolution of the larger political agenda. These ‘twin track’ formula negotiations can serve as a procedural model for resolution of water conflicts.