Civil Administration

Quarterly

INSIDE THE WATER

DEPARTMENT

MARCH 2010

State of Israel
Civil Administration of Judea & Samaria
Beit El
Tel: 02-9977744
Fax:02-9977055
E-mail: int.org@cvladm.gov.il

Printed in-house by the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria

 Welcome to the Civil Administration Quarterly

Dear Friends,

It is with great pride and pleasure that I announce the publication of our first
newsletter here at the Civil Administration. The Civil Administration Quarterly will play
a pivotal role in adding much needed transparency to the critical work being done in
the West Bank by our staff. The goal of such a publication is to be informative,
beneficial to the community and illustrate our dedicated and sincere efforts at the
Civil Administration to make a positive impact on individual lives in the West Bank.

Our first issue features the diligent work of our Water Affairs Department and their
mission to administer water development projects in the West Bank. The Civil
Administration, in coordination with the Palestinian Water Authority and the
international community continues to work towards finding practical solutions to
water resource management. Water is a fundamental aspect of human existence and
it is our job at the Civil Administration to preserve this resource for the well being of
all communities in the West Bank.

As we move forward in 2010, we face challenges in the region that must be ad-
dressed. Here at the Civil Administration, we remain steadfast in our commitment to
finding adequate solutions to complex issues. And so it is with unwavering confi-
dence and optimism that the Civil Administration continues its role as a facilitator of
humanitarian needs in the West Bank. With your continued support, we can fulfill
our vision of taking care of civilian needs, while providing security and stability in
the West Bank.

Warmest Regards,

Lt. Col Avi Shalev

Head of International Organizations and Foreign Affairs Branch

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 Inside This Issue

The Civil Administration: A Brief History …………………………………………5

The Water Affairs Department—An Overview……………………………………..8

The Process of Approving Water Projects………………………………………….9

Q & A with Yuval Nachum—Staff Officer for Water Affairs……………………12

Staff Directory………………………………………………….…………………….17

Water Sector PowerPoint Presentation…………………………………………..18

End Page: A New Vision…... ……………………………………………………...27

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 Acronyms

CA Civil Administration
COGAT Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories
DCL District Coordination and Liaison
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
IDF Israel Defense Force
IWA Israeli Water Authority
JSET Joint Supervision and Enforcement Teams
JTC Joint Technical Committee
JWC Joint Water Committee
KFW German Development Bank
Mekorot Israel National Water Company
PA Palestinian Authority
PWA Palestinian Water Authority
USAID United States Agency for International Development
WWTP Waste-Water Treatment Plant

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 Brief History of the Civil Administration
The Civil Administration was established by the Government of Israel in 1982 with
the purpose of administering and coordinating civilian and humanitarian needs in
Judea and Samaria.

The Civil Administration functions under the auspices of the Coordinator of Govern-
ment Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which is a unit of the Ministry of De-
fense in Israel. COGAT’s headquarters are in the Kirya compound in Tel Aviv headed
by Major General Eitan Dangot.

The Civil Administration, headquartered in Beit El is a military unit, which incorpo-

rates representatives of the Israeli Government Ministries and agencies who work in
Judea and Samaria headed by Brigadier General Yoav (“Poli”) Mordechai. The Civil
Administration has 8 District Coordination and Liaison (DCL) offices in each of the
major districts of the West Bank including Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm-Qalqilyah, Ramal-
lah, Jerusalem (periphery), Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jericho. DCL’s give the Civil Ad-
ministration the capability to care for the wellbeing of the local population (Arabs and
Jews), providing a range of civilian services in Judea and Samaria.

The Civil Administration, with both civilian and army personnel, Israeli and Palestin-
ian, is composed of various branches and authorities of the Israeli Government such
as departments for water affairs, transportation, archeology, infrastructure, environ-
mental, etc. These branches, known as Staff Offices, coordinate their work with the
relevant parties in the region such as the Palestinian Authority, international organiza-
tions, the diplomatic core, the IDF, and the Government of Israel which manage civil-
ian needs in the West Bank.

As a result of the Israeli-Palestinian interim agreement on the West Bank and Gaza
Strip signed in 1995, three temporary distinct administrative divisions in Judea and
Samaria known as areas A, B, and C were created. Israel retains its overriding authority
in area C of the West Bank. Most civil authority in areas A and B have been handed
over to the Palestinian Authority. In these areas their is close coordination between
both parties. The Civil Administration acts as a liaison between the Palestinian and Is-
raeli authorities to synthesize common interests in the region. Areas A and B consti-
tute 40% of the West Bank, while Area C is the remaining 60%. The overriding ma-
jority of the Palestinian population in the West Bank resides in areas A and B.

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The Water Affairs Office

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Water Department is located at the Civil Administration headquarters in Beit El.
The department is one of 24 staff offices that work in coordination with the Head of
the Civil Administration to fulfill humanitarian needs in the West Bank. The Staff Of-
fice for Water Affairs is the authorized agency empowered by Israel to exercise the
administrative authority of the water sector in the region. Simultaneously, the Civil
Administration integrates this role with its own systematic procedures in issuing per-
mits for Israeli and Palestinian water projects in Area C.

The Water Affairs Office has a clear mission to oversee and promote the develop-
ment of the water sector in Area C of the West Bank. The department has a sub-
stantial impact and contributes greatly to the advancement of water infrastructure
projects that serve the needs of a diverse number of Israeli and Palestinian communi-
ties. The permits that the department issues help facilitate the construction of pipe-
lines, trunk lines, wells, and other water infrastructural components. The department
employs a Civil Administration Water Unit of 70 workers who manage 15 wells and
other water installations efficiently, supplying West Bank residents with 25 million cu-
bic meters of water per year.

The Water Department works closely with the Israeli Water Authority, the Palestinian
Water Authority and international organizations that often fund such water related
projects. The relationship between the Water Affairs Office and the international
community is key. Together, they support the implementation and integration of wa-
ter projects in communities that need viable solutions to water related infrastructure.

By working together with the Palestinian Authority, specifically the Palestinian Water
Authority, the Water Affairs Office meets regularly with representatives of different
municipalities and towns to discuss challenges they face. In turn, the department di-
rectly serves the civilian needs of these communities by making sure that they are
adequately connected to the water network. By working collaboratively with the Civil
Administration, the PWA and the international community, the Water Affairs Office
has seen significant progress in the health of the water sector and its impact on local
communities.

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The Water Affairs Office

THE PROCESS OF APPROVING WATER PROJECTS

The Civil Administration follows a fluid and systematic process of reviewing and ap-
proving water projects in Area C of the West Bank. Before potential water projects
are submitted to the Civil Administration, they are approved by the Israeli-Palestinian
Joint Water Committee (JWC). The JWC is made up of Israeli and Palestinian repre-
sentatives (mainly IWA and PWA delegates) and is one of the few joint committees
that have been working and meeting continuously since the day of its inception in
1995. At the beginning of 2001, a period marked with hostilities, it is worth mention-
ing the unparalleled statement made by the Palestinian and Israeli heads of the JWC
that even during difficult times of political stalemate, issues of water development in
the region will remain stable and maintained.
The JWC was established in September 1995 as part of the Civil Affairs Annex to the
interim agreement between Israel and the Palestinians (Article 40) to create the plat-
form for joint coordination of the shared water resources in the region – namely the
aquifer which lies beneath the West Bank and the State of Israel (the absorption of
water to the aquifer is mostly received in the West Bank, which is then mostly col-
lected in Israel). The JWC requires decisions and resolutions regarding the exploita-
tion of the aquifer to be made jointly. This way, no unilateral steps can be taken to
the detriment of either party. The JWC also creates the ideal framework for coordi-
nated management of the aquifer – namely the need to exchange information and re-
search data, act effectively to prevent environmental pollution, over exploitation (over-
pumping) and exhaustion of the underground reservoir. In this framework the JWC
promotes developmental projects in the water and waste-water sector.
Once a project is presented and approved by the JWC, the path is cleared for present-
ing it to the Civil Administration for permitting if it’s situated in Area C. Both Israelis
and Palestinians are obliged to receive the blessing of the JWC to promote water pro-
jects as well as apply for the relevant permits from the Civil Administration in Area C.
The process of requesting and receiving a permit is exactly the same for all parties –
whether PWA, Mekorot (The Israeli National Water Company), the municipalities of
Ramallah or the Ariel settlement. It should be stressed here that most of the water
projects that serve Palestinian communities are implemented in Areas A and B, where
the overriding majority of the Palestinian population resides, therefore requiring no
permits from the Civil Administration.
A request to permit a water project in Area C is handed over to the Staff Officer for
Water Affairs in the Civil Administration. The Civil Administration is not involved in
approving water infrastructure in Areas A and B. In these areas the PWA is the point
of contact.

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The request should include a formal letter of explanation, a map indicating clearly
the scope of the project – installations, trunk-line position, etc. This process is gen-
erally carried out through a formal meeting between the Head of the Joint Technical
Sub-Committee (JTC) for the Palestinian Water Authority and the Staff Officer for
Water Affairs at the Civil Administration in which the details of water projects are
discussed and elaborated.
There are generally two types of permits needed for water projects. A permit to lay
an underground trunk-line, promoted by a governmental or public agency
(commonly referred to as an Order) and a permit to build a structure over-ground
(such as a well or a booster). Once the details of the request have been clearly ascer-
tained, the Staff Officer for Water Affairs will initiate staff work. Staff work typi-
cally entails dispatching the project proposal for comprehensive analysis to fellow
staff offices in the Civil Administration including archeology, the environment, trans-
portation, electricity, telecommunications, planning, and the Nature and Parks Au-
thority. This process is not unique to the West Bank and is carried out in Israel and
many other countries.
Comments received from the staff offices and departments are of great importance
and influence to the project. These comments are often presented by the staff office
to the party promoting the project as they are received – facilitating a constructive
dialogue. Such insights often include relevant information regarding the proximity of
other infrastructural components near the site of the planned project. For example,
the existence of a waste disposal site, sewage pipe-lines, electricity or telecommunica-
tion lines (over or under-ground infrastructure) must be taken into account when
planning to lay water trunk-lines. The promoter of a project must be aware of the
ramifications of the existing archeological sites or even national parks in the path of
the trunk line proposed. An effective process of dialogue can ensue allowing the
needs and concerns of all interests involved to be synthesized at the planning stages
of permitting.
Prior to finalizing staff work and issuing the permit, the legal advisor reviews the
project to ensure its legal composition. The legal department examines every request
of an order presented by the Staff Officer for Water Affairs. The legal advisor also
considers whether these orders take into account the public interest and don’t dispro-
portionately harm private property. At this stage the Staff Officer must be able to
show what steps were taken to minimize damage to private property (could an alter-
native route which crosses public land be used?). If no major concerns arise, the du-
ration for such staff work should take no longer than 6 months.
The permit to build an over-ground structure (such as a booster) is issued by the
planning committee. The Staff Officer for Water Affairs can assist the party promot-
ing the project and can serve as a point of contact in this respect. The initiators can
also engage the planning department directly. The procedures of receiving a permit
to build a structure within an approved master-plan differs to building a structure in
an area designated as agricultural or open space.

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Unless the request for a building permit relates to a particularly large structure
(affecting the greater surroundings) the local municipality or council is authorized to
issue the building permit inside an approved master-plan. In case no master plan ex-
ists, a request is lodged with the Civil Administration Planning Committee to approve
a localized plan. This statutory procedure entails reviewing and approving the plans
and thereafter publishing a public notice. This transparent process allows the con-
cerns and interests of different communities to be addressed effectively – creating
the forum which allows the public to respond in an open hearing held at the Civil
Administration.

The Civil Administration recognizes that some projects need urgent attention as ac-
cess to water is the basic foundation of human life. When the PWA presents the Civil
Administration with emergency projects serving urgent humanitarian needs, the Staff
Officer for Water Affairs promotes these projects on a priority basis to Lt. Col Avi
Shalev, Head of International Organizations and Foreign Affairs at the Civil Admini-
stration.

Once the project is approved, the permit is handed over to the initiator at which
point it is the sole responsibility of the relevant party to implement the project. It
should be noted here that according to the water agreements signed between Israel
and the Palestinian Authority it is the responsibility of the PWA to promote the de-
velopment of the water and waste-water sector which serve Palestinian communities
in the West Bank. The Civil Administration supports the implementation of such
projects, however, it is up to the PWA to carry out and administer projects approved.

Contact Information:
Water Affairs Office
Office Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8am-4pm
Telephone: 02-9977783
02-9977069
Fax: 02-9977738
E-Mail: yuvaln@water.gov.il
Address: Staff Office for Water Affairs
Civil Administration
P.0. Box 34
Beit El, Israel

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 Q. & A. With Yuval Nachum Civil Admini-
stration Staff Officer for Water Affairs

Q. You have been the Staff Officer for Water Affairs for 4 years now in the
Civil Administration. Can you point to specific examples of progress in your
field?

A. YUVAL NACHUM: In 1967 about 80% of the Palestinian population in the

West Bank were not connected to the water network. Today, 90% are connected to
the national grid. Although this is not a perfect situation, we are making huge
improvements in individual lives in the region. Since 2007 we have had a
concentrated effort to facilitate project implementation with the help of the
international community and the Palestinian Water Authority. In 2008-2009 the Civil
Administration issued more than 19 licenses for water related infrastructure that will
connect and upgrade the water network of more than 26 Palestinian villages. This
infrastructure includes the construction of wells, reservoirs, and trunk lines. The
Rujib project is an excellent example of cooperation between the Civil
Administration, the PWA and the international community. (continued on next page)

21
The Rujib well has recently been inaugurated by current Prime Minister of the Pales-
tinian Authority Salam Fayyad. The trunk line that is currently being constructed will
feed 11 Palestinian towns and villages such as Kusra, Jalud, Karyut and Dumma in
the Nablus district. These villages have never been connected to the network until
now. This is a clear example of positive progress made by our efforts here at the
Civil Administration.

Q. Is the Civil Administration dedicated to such advancements in policy?

A. Yes. This is the directive of the head of the Civil Administration who is pro-
moting a policy of project implementation, support and coordination with the Pales-
tinian Authority and the international community. The purpose is to build a prosper-
ous, stable and secure environment for human development. We are making influen-
tial strides so that the needs of the Palestinian people are met.

Q. You seem to be very passionate about this topic. Have you always been
this energetic about water?

A. I have dedicated 14 years of my life to this endeavor. In the Civil Administration

we have a phrase that says “don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution.”
This is exactly what I focus on. Of course we face challenges and complexities, but
we are on the right path towards success.

Q. What are the complexities that you speak of ?

A. This is the fifth year of drought in the region. We seem to be facing a downward
trend of water precipitation in the region. This has a damaging effect on water re-
sources that provide potable water to all communities. Further, the complexities of
growing demand for water are a result of a booming economy, and a growing popu-
lation in the West Bank. International bodies predict a substantial 7% GDP growth
rate in the West Bank in 2009-2010. Also affecting water resources are environ-
mental pressures on the aquifer, which include untreated sewage, and waste manage-
ment problems that threaten the existence of fresh natural drinking water. The aqui-
fer is an invaluable resource. We must safeguard the aquifer for current and future
generations. Therefore, there is a need for closer cooperation of all parties involved
to better serve these changes.

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Q. So this is not just an Israeli problem?

A. Exactly right. This must involve a concentrated effort by the Israelis, Palestini-
ans and the international community to look after the critical needs of people in the
region.

Q. Have you always enjoyed working in the Civil Administration?

A. I know full well the importance of community and shared sacrifice. My back-
ground has prepared me for this mission. During my army service, I was a com-
mander in officers’ school and also studied Military Science at Tel Aviv University. I
have a second degree in Public Administration from Haifa University. I enjoy mak-
ing a contribution to Israel and the region. I bring representatives together from dif-
ferent communities to work diligently on these issues.

Q. What are some of the problems that constrict water infrastructure devel-
opment in the West Bank?

A. Clearly, both Israel and the Palestinians need to continue to build a better part-
nership that recognizes water as a shared resource. There is not Israeli water or Pal-
estinian water. The shared aquifer lies under both the West Bank and Israel, so we
must work together so that the basic human right to water is never in question. Ef-
fective planning of water infrastructure is a challenge that must be addressed ade-
quately moving forward. In constructing water projects we must take into considera-
tion archeological, environmental, and community concerns to allow the integration
of water projects.

Q. Archeological? Environmental? What do you mean?

A. Take the following example. The World Bank report on water recently pub-
lished cited an example of how the Civil Administration delays projects in the Jiftlik
community. The Jiftlik community leader complained to the World Bank that the
Civil Administration was requesting the use of an archeologist to monitor the pro-
jects implementation at a cost to the community. The archeologists at the Civil Ad-
ministration found a historical site on the path of the trunk line and therefore are
obligated to preserve this site. We support this project, but we have to ensure that
the development of such projects coincide with social interests such as community
heritage. This procedure is carried out systematically in all projects in Israel and the
West Bank (Area C) if antiquities are found on a building site. Jericho, where the
project is located, is the oldest city in the world, about 10,000 years old. The region
is rich with historical artifacts from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities.
(continued on next page)

41
Therefore, the Civil Administration’s challenge is to find the path to human develop-
ment that takes into consideration a variety of aspects and perspectives that shape
human existence.

Q. So how do you promote urgent needs?

A. My department is committed to promoting and approving water infrastructure
projects quickly. Projects which we realize are of urgent need to the community,
such as the ones approved by the JWC (Joint Water Committee) made up of Israelis
and Palestinians representatives, receives special attention and we approve these pro-
jects making sure to uphold adequate planning procedures. Recently, we have ap-
proved the construction of 8 wells and a major reservoir that serve the immediate
needs of half a million people.

Q. As I m sure you know, recent reports put out by Amnesty International,

The World Bank, and B Tselem call into question Israel s practices of water
distribution to Palestinian communities. Should we disregard their analysis?

A. Their analysis politicizes the issues. We need to focus on the facts. If the re-
searchers of these reports really care about promoting the rights of the Palestinian
people, then they should stop demonizing Israel and offer solutions to make im-
provements. We are very open and committed to project implementation. We are
trying to find pragmatic solutions to the complex issues at hand. However, we need
sincere partners in the Palestinian Authority and the international community in this
endeavor. Going back to the World Bank’s report, they examined 82 JWC approved
projects in the West Bank that are supposedly being delayed by the Civil Administra-
tion. In our own analysis of this report, we came to the conclusion that 47 of these
projects are actually situated in Area A & B, which falls under the jurisdiction of the
Palestinian Authority and require no approval from the Civil Administration. A
quarter of these projects were never implemented by the Palestinians themselves,
probably due to lack of commitment. Of the 35 projects in Area C, 28 of them
were permitted by the Civil Administration, 6 were never submitted by the PWA,
while 5 are currently under review. Only 3 of the projects mentioned have been re-
jected. We believe that these three projects should be resubmitted with better-
detailed plans so that the Civil Administration can permit these projects. My overall
message to the international community is that issues of water affairs in the West
Bank are not black and white. We must have a more holistic understanding of is-
sues constraining implementation so that we can move forward effectively.

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Q. And what are the solutions? What is your vision for the next 4 years?

A. I want the Palestinian community to flourish in every sense. I hope the PWA
will take steps to manage their own water systems and invest in their future. Due to
the issue of water shortage in the Middle East, Israel has invested heavily in desali-
nation technology and waste-water treatment facilities. The Palestinians can learn
from us. We can share ideas and form a powerful coalition to solve the difficult
problems ahead of us. We must get beyond political and ideological differences and
focus on ways to find common ground.

Q. Can you really be so optimistic?

A. Definitely. It’s my job not to accept the current difficulties. We can point to an-
other example of progress by talking about the waste-water treatment plants. This
year we have approved the Dir-Sharaf waste-water treatment plant planned with the
help of the German Development Bank (KFW). It will treat the waste-water of
Nablus and produce 3 million cubic meters of treated water that can be used in the
Palestinian agricultural sector, which will increase the availability of fresh natural
drinking water as well. The 25 million Euro project will be implemented in 2010.
Our challenge is to promote the use of this new source of water to serve the agri-
cultural sector as is done in Israel.

Q. Multi-million dollar projects? Can this be a viable solution for a develop-

ing economy?

A. We are also encouraging more affordable and economically viable solutions for
developing communities. The Um Rechan Wetland is a great example. This project
is in its final stages of development. The creation of the wetland is an example of
an economically effective project that will not only treat waste-water but also be a
newsource of water to be used in the agricultural sector. Through cooperation with
the government of Japan and Israeli NGO’s, this revolutionary project will have a
positive impact on the community and the environment.

Q. What is your main focus moving forward?

A. Getting results.

Interview by Noah S. Bernstein

61
STAFF DIRECTORY

Dani Adar Advisor to the Staff Officer

Dani has served the Civil Administration since
1967. He is responsible for examining and
analyzing all aspects of water projects submit-
ted to the Water Affairs Office. Dani reviews
detailed project plans, which is a key ingredient
to the implementation of effective water infra-
structure projects. He also works in coordina-
tion with the PWA in their efforts to import
pipes, trunk lines and machinery to be used in
water projects.

Carmela Nataf Office Manager

Carmela has worked in the Water Department
since 1993. She is responsible for making sure
the office runs smoothly. She takes care of all
of the office correspondence, handles the
transfer of project requests and manages in-
quiries by other Civil Administration offices
for the Water Department's approval of water
projects.

Rebecca Friedman Government Fellow

As an intern in the Water Department, Re-
becca acts as an assistant to the Staff Officer
for Water Affairs. She accompanies Yuval
Nachum on his field excursions and serves as
an English-Hebrew translator in meetings
with Arabic and English-speakers. She also
communicates with representatives from in-
ternational aid organizations. Rebecca is be-
ginning to develop the Water Department’s
website.

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Water & Environmental Sector Presentation

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 …...End Page…...
While preparing the Civil Administration Quarterlyand the corresponding water report entitled
“Perspectives: Issues of Water Development in the West Bank” in coordination with the Is-
raeli Water Authority and the Water Affairs Office at the Civil Administration, I came to real-
ize that the Civil Administration has a qualified and congenial team in place that is diligent
and dedicated to making a substantial difference in the development of water resources in the
West Bank.

Clearly, there are challenges and difficulties that lie ahead, but the Civil Administration is will-
ing to address these problems without delay. There is room for more dialogue and the Civil
Administration invites a more cohesive partnership with those who are willing to assist in
cultivating human livelihood in the West Bank. Let’s not give up and allowthe problems suf-
focate the growth of viable solutions. This newsletter is a call to move forward. It is an ap-
peal towards transparency, and a plea to find ways to make better policy decisions so that
water development in the West Bank is not exacerbated.

Put simply, our doors are open. Come join us.

—Civil Administration QuarterlyStaff Member

Further Reading:
Feitelson, Eran, Marwan Haddad.
Management of Shared Groundwater
Resources: The Israeli-Palestinian Case
with an International Perspective. Boston:
Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2000.

Sherman, Martin. “Amnesty’s travesty.”

The Jerusalem Post. 19 Nov. 2009. http://
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?
cid=1258624591989&pagename=JPArticle
%2FShowFull

Israeli Water Authority Report: Water

Issues Between Israel and the Palestinians.
http://www.water.gov.il/

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