People have walked on the moon, I still dream of water: The right to water in the unrecognized Negev villages in Israel

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

People have walked on the moon, I still dream of water: The right to water in the unrecognized Negev villages in Israel

Orly Almi, ms, Physicians for Human Rights -Israel (PHR-Israel), 52 Golomb st., Tel Aviv, 66171, Israel, 972-3-6873718, orly@phr.org.il

This paper deals with the right to water of one of the most marginalized and discriminated groups within the state of Israel: The Arab-Bedouin residents of 45 "unrecognized" villages.

Israel has a well-functioning national water supply system. 98% of the Israelis enjoy safe and potable water. Yet, in the Negev, Israel's semi-arid desert, over 80,000 people are not connected to water and suffer from severe shortage. This is due to the state policy that denies them access to water as a means to force them into state-established town(ship)s.

The described situation has far-reaching effects on the health of the population of these "unrecognized" villages. As with other human rights violations, it affects all. However, chronically ill, disabled, children and women are more severely affected. The effects on women's health are given special consideration due to their role in society. This includes their house and family hygiene, child-bearings and responsibility for all family members.

From a rights-based approach to health and using the concept of environmental justice, Israel's unwillingness (as oppose to inability) to connect these people to water is argued to be inconsistent with the core obligations to human rights and democratic governance.

The paper describes the current situation, analyzes it vis-à-vis human rights covenants and discusses its health ramifications. Since past struggles have not brought about the aspired change, a short discussion on alternative actions is presented.

A short film produced by PHR-Israel accompanies the oral presentation, thus offering a complimentary visual testimony to the discussion.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

Recognize the relations between environmental justice and public health regarding the respective population.
Understand specific implications on women's health.
Discuss the role of public health professionals in the struggle for health rights.
Articulate one of the most acute yet unknown HR violations within Israel.

Keywords: Water, Human Rights

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation

Compromised Air, Water, and Public Works: An International Perspective

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA