The water issue between Turkey and Israel

The Turkish daily Millet said on Wednesday that Israel proposed to Turkey providing it ( Israel) with water against renovating several Turkish tanks at a total cost estimated at USD one billion.

The paper indicated that in case Ankara accepts the Israeli proposal, Turkey will pay a sum of USD 600 to 700 out of USD one billion to renovate 170 tanks only, while Israel will pay Turkey a price for each cubic meter of waters between 5 to 10 cents. This means that Turkey will need a period of 35 years to get back what it will pay for Israel during five years.

In a statement under the title " water for tanks," the paper added that this proposal was proposed by the Israeli defense minister during his recent visit to Ankara, on the ground that Turkey will provide Israel by water from Manfghanat river which falls in the Mediterranean.

The paper quoted the advisor for the Turkish defense industries as saying that for the first time " an Israeli minister proposes to us such a debate. He surprised us, but if the deal will provide us with hard currency, then we are pleased to sell waters for Israel, and even to sell the air. "