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Transcript/Script ISRAEL JORDAN WATER
HEADLINE: Despite Tensions, Israel Builds Pipeline to Supply Water to Jordan
TEASER: As part of water-energy deal, Israel will receive solar power in exchange
PUBLISHED: 05/08/2023 at 8:10 pm
BYLINE: Linda Gradstein
DATELINE: Kfar Yehoshua, Israel VIDEOGRAPHER: Ricki Rosen, Agencies, Courtesy PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, Bowman
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA, AFP, Reuters, Mekorot Laniado Communications
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: Web desk, please post camera credit for Ricki Rosen))
((INTRO))
[[Despite increased political tensions between them, Israel and Jordan are implementing mutual water and solar energy agreements. Israel is building a new pipeline which will double the amount of water it sells at cost to water-starved Jordan. Linda Gradstein reports for VOA from Kfar Yehoshua in northern Israel.]]
((VIDEO: CONSTRUCTION OF NEW MEKOROT WATER PIPELINE, VOA))
((VIDEO: WORKER WELDS MEKOROT WATER PIPELINE, REUTERS))
((VIDEO: SITE OF CURRENT WATER PIPELINE FROM ISRAEL TO JORDAN, AFP))
((VIDEO: SOLAR ENERGY PANELS IN JORDAN, AFP))
((VIDEO: KFAR YEHOSHUA PROJECT MANAGER EXPLAINS NEW CONSTRUCTION, VOA))
((NARRATOR))
In these fields in northern Israel, the National Water
Company, Mekorot, is laying a massive new pipeline that will double the amount of water which Israel supplies to Jordan.
It’s part of a three-way deal called “Prosperity Blue and Green” in which Israel will sell Jordan 200 million cubic meters of water annually at cost, and Jordan will provide solar power to Israel.
While it is just a small amount of Israel’s energy needs, officials here say it is important symbolically. The solar plants in Jordan will be funded by the United Arab Emirates.
The new pipeline is part of a project to update the antiquated Israeli water carrier, which was built from cement pipes in the 1960s.
[[RADIO VERSION: Tal Golbarry, the Kfar Yehoshua Project Manager, says the project will finish in about a year and cost more than four million dollars.]]
((Tal Golbary, Kfar Yehoshua Project Manager, Male - in Hebrew - NEEDS VOICEOVER VOA))
“The project is to build a line to bring water from the central water carrier to Afula and Beit Shean and eventually to Jordan. We are laying down the pipe now. This project will finish in about a year and costs about 15 million shekels (or 4.1 million dollars).”
((VIDEO: ANIMATED VIDEO SHOWING WATER ROUTE FROM ISRAELI DESALINATION PLANTS))
((Mandatory cg: Mekorot Laniado Communications))
((VIDEO: JORDAN WATER SHORTAGE, REUTERS))
((NARRATOR))
Israel has built five desalination plants on its Mediterranean
coast which provide for much of the country’s water needs and even produce a surplus that can be sold. Jordan, in contrast, has a growing water deficit.
[[RADIO VERSION: Lior Gutman is the spokesman for the Mekorot Water Company]]
((Lior Gutman, Mekorot Water Company, Male in English, VOA))
“It’s a mid-desert country. They only have one way out to the sea, the Red Sea, all the way down in the south. They are in a very severe situation, a very tight spot. Global warming and climate change strike them very hard. As long as we can provide more water to the kingdom of Jordan, we will do so.
((VIDEO: JORDANIAN PROTESTS AGAINST ISRAEL, REUTERS))
((VIDEO: ISRAEL, JORDAN, AND UAE SIGN WATER AND SOLAR ENERGY AGREEMENTS, AFP))
((NARRATOR))
Political tensions between Israel and Jordan have increased
since Israel’s new hardline government, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, took office, especially after the Israeli police raid at the Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. Demonstrators in Jordan called on the country to cut off ties with Israel.
Israeli officials say that despite these tensions, the water and solar energy agreements
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Kfar Yehoshua in northern Israel))
Embargo DateMay 8, 2023 18:50 EDT
Byline
Linda Gradstein for VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
