The Jordan River Basin contains some of the most historically important bodies of water in the world. In addition to being important water sources, the Jordan River and the Dead Sea have a long religious history documented in both the Old and New Testaments. Also part of the Basin, Lake Tiberias (also known as the Sea of Galilee) and the Yarmouk River have been major sources of water for the region for centuries. In such a dry climate, these water sources have been fuel for conflict and disagreement since the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Consequently, water is a politicized issue that has important implications for national security and is a major driver of politics. Indeed, Israeli leaders recognized the importance of water before the state of Israel was even created: plans for the Israeli National Water Carrier were tentatively drawn up before 1948.
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