The Jordan River project to irrigate parts of the Negev, over which the Arab League has threatened war, was discussed today by the Security and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament.
Aharon Wiener, Israel Water Authority Chief, reviewed the technical aspects of the project. Gershon Avner, director of the United States division of the Foreign Ministry, reported on the political aspects.
United Nations observers meanwhile were investigating, at Israel’s request, the stoppage in the flow of a small stream, the Dofila; which originates in Syria. The portion not normally used by Syrian farmers flows into Israel where it provides water for Kibbutz Shamir. The flow stopped several days ago.
United Nations observers were asked to determine whether the flow had been halted by Syrians, who have sought to interfere with the flow repeatedly, or whether the stream had been drying up as a result of the current severe dry spell.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
