THE NATIONAL WATER CARRIER - 1964
Water shortage is a severe problem in Israel. There is not much water in
this area and the existing sources lie partly in Syria and Jordan. The extensive
agricultural lands in the south of the country are 
served by insufficient reservoirs. The main water reserves are in the north,
but here the tracts of agricultural land are smaller. The solution to the
problem was simple: transfer water from the north to the south.
The plan called for conveying water from the north to the springs of
the Yarkon River and from there southward to the area around Kibbutz Magen
in the northwest Negev. This part of the project is called the Yarkon-Negev
line. The National Water Carrier, which crosses Israel from north to south,
is the main artery connecting all regional water projects in the State.
It thus became possible to completely control all the water in the country,
and to convey it efficiently wherever it was most needed.
Work on this substantial, large scale project began in 1953 and ended
in 1964. The Syrians objected furiously, claiming that Israel had no right
to make changes in this region, which was a designated open area not subject
to change by either side. The United Nations exerted a great deal of pressure,
which left Israel with no choice but to build the National Water Carrier
from the northwest section of the Sea of Galilee.
The Carrier is 130 kilometers (81 miles) in length. The northern section
makes its way through tunnels and open canals, with occasional ponds for
water concentration. Farther south the water is conveyed through a water
pipe concealed deep in the earth.
While the National Water Carrier was under construction, Syria and Jordan
undertook water projects of their own, in the hope of drying up the water
sources of the Jordan river. This was in direct contravention to international
agreements. The Syrians attempted to divert water from the Banias River
to the southern Golan Heights and together with the Jordanians, to utilize
water from the Yarmukh River.
The water conflict was the background to many disputes with Syria during
the 60’s. Another source of contention was the working of arable
land near the border.
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