Dead Sea Plan Brings Peace? Not Likely.

The Dead Sea is the lowest body of water in the world and its surface level is lowering as the sea evaporates. The land-locked lake is receiving less fresh water from the Jordan River than it did decades ago, at about 1/20th of the rate.

According to an article by The Economist on March 15, 2007 (and re-printed in the Toronto Star today), Israel's deputy prime minister Shimon Peres, has devised a plan considered by Israeli government as a "national project" to save the Dead Sea from drying up. The "Peace Corridor" main project, with a few others planned (see picture), includes a 200 km down-hill passage from the Red Sea that will replenish the lowering sea level and provide more water for surrounding cities. (Click here for more info on the projects)

Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says the projects to save the Dead Sea are of national importance for all surrounding governments (Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian-run West Bank) and is being pushed as a "vision of peace through economic development."

However, some skeptical scientists question the feasibility of mixing water from the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. Some scientists in Israel believe the sea brine from the Red Sea would float on top of the Dead Sea's hyper-salty water, taking years to mix in. Once mixed, algae could form.

Peace Not Likely

The Dead Sea as an initiative for peace in the Middle East? It sounds ludicrous because it is. The projected plans will only bring more disagreement between neighboring nations and add economic pressure to the Palestine/Israel dispute.

The project is waiting on a geological study by the World Bank before they commit any money towards such a plan. Even if they do not, an advisor to Peres says the go-ahead with the plan is "not dependent" on the World Bank study.

A lake positioned in the Middle East that has never been adequate for living water-life will never be used to promote "peace through economic development." Anyone who rejects the cause will find scientists to prove the infeasibility of the plan and will kill any hope for development. If Israel does go ahead with the plan without complete participation with all governments, there will be an uproar.

Below is a video clip posted on YouTube about the Dead Sea.