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Jordanian public unhappy with Israeli water deal

The sudden decision by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to sign a declaration of intent to trade clean electricity for water has produced public opposition despite the fact that Jordan badly needs to add to its water supply due to the increase in population from the regional violence.

A general view shows a stretch of the King Abdullah Canal near the Jordanian border town of Shuna Shamalia (North Shuna), some four kilometres from the Wadi al-Arab Dam on March 12, 2018.
A general view shows a stretch of the King Abdullah Canal near the Jordanian border town of Shuna Shamalia (North Shuna), some four kilometers from the Wadi al-Arab Dam, on March 12, 2018. — AHMAD ABDO/AFP via Getty Images

In normal times, the aim of the recent Jordan-Israel-United Arab Emirates declaration of intent would make sense.

A wealthy Arab Gulf country is willing to contribute to the huge infrastructure of solar panels in the vast, unused Jordanian desert in order to supply a neighboring country — Israel — with clean electricity that will help desalinate and deliver water back to water-poor Jordan.

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