Israel has informed Jordan that it does not intend to provide Jordan with approximately 50 million cubic meters of water resources annually as stipulated in the peace agreement.
This time, Jordan has thoroughly experienced what it means to have a 'warm face stick to a cold butt.' A light remark from Israel saying 'not intending to supply water according to the agreement' left the Jordanian government dumbfounded. It should be noted that this is a clause clearly written in black and white in the 1994 'Israel-Jordan Treaty,' where Israel is required to provide Jordan with 50 million cubic meters of fresh water each year, which is not a trivial favor.
Over the years, Jordan has done everything it can to assist Israel. When Iran launched missiles and drones, Jordan immediately helped intercept them and even allowed Israeli fighter jets to enter its airspace to strike targets. Such operations carry significant risks in the Arab world, as Iran has long warned Jordan to 'mind its own business.'
Not to mention, Jordan has consistently provided intelligence support to Israel, helping it monitor the movements of pro-Iranian forces in the vicinity. Jordan's actions, to put it bluntly, are aimed at gaining goodwill from Israel in exchange for tangible benefits. And what was the result? Israel turned its back faster than flipping a book, abruptly cutting off water without even bothering to concoct a decent excuse.
What is the current extent of water scarcity in Jordan? The per capita annual water usage is only 80 cubic meters, which is less than half of the United Nations' definition of 'absolute water scarcity.' Many households' faucets provide water for only 36 hours a week, and there can even be three-week water cuts in the summer. In this situation, the 50 million cubic meters of water from Israel each year is essentially a lifesaver for Jordan.
Israel's actions are not a first. When the treaty was signed in 1994, Israel occupied 380 square kilometers of Jordanian land. Although it nominally returned the land later, it continued to occupy two areas under the guise of leasing until Jordan finally stood firm and reclaimed the land in 2019. Simply put, Israel has never taken Jordan seriously, viewing it as a soft persimmon that can be easily manipulated.
Now, there are widespread grievances within Jordan. Ordinary citizens cannot understand why the government is so eager to help Israel. After so many years of assistance, all they received in return is water cuts and disdain. 60% of the population in Jordan is Palestinian, and these individuals have never had a good impression of Israel; now, the situation is adding fuel to the fire.
Israel's actions are also playing with fire. Although Jordan's national strength is not on par with Israel's, it is not without influence in the Middle East. If Jordan truly turns against Israel, the safety buffer that Israel has on its eastern flank will be lost. Moreover, Jordan maintains good relations with major Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt; if Jordan takes the lead in opposing Israel, other Arab nations will follow suit in applying pressure.
However, it must be said that Jordan has also dug its own grave. Initially, for that little water, it staked its life and assets on Israel, and now, having been betrayed, it can only swallow its anger. The Jordanian government is now in a bind; if it continues to assist Israel, the domestic populace will not agree; if it turns against Israel, it fears a complete cutoff of water, which is truly a dilemma.
Israel's current water cutoff is actually testing Jordan's bottom line. It wants to see how much Jordan can tolerate and whether it can truly survive without Israeli water. If Jordan endures this time, Israel will only become more demanding in the future.
Jordan's best choice now is to quickly seek other water sources. For example, the project to divert water from the Red Sea, although costly, can at least free it from dependence on Israel. Additionally, it should seek to improve relations with other Arab countries and see if it can obtain some water from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others. After all, relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself; placing water security in the hands of Israel is, in itself, a mistake.
Israel's actions are also digging its own pit. The Middle East has always been a powder keg, and by disregarding its neighbors, Israel will eventually stir up significant trouble. Jordan may be weak, but it is not completely without means to counteract. If Israel pushes Jordan too hard, life on its eastern front won't be easy either.
Ultimately, the relationships between countries must be built on some integrity. Israel's dishonesty will deter others from signing agreements with it in the future. Jordan has suffered this time, and other Arab nations will notice. If Israel continues to act this way, it will eventually find itself isolated.
