The Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem reports:
According to the Israeli national water company, Mekorot, the average household water consumption in Israel is between 100 and 230 liters per person per day. The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 100 liters per person per day. ... The average daily consumption among Palestinians connected to a running-water network is about 73 liters. ... However, even those who are connected do not necessarily have access to running water throughout the day or the year, and water is supplied intermittently, following a rotation program.
Consumption in Gaza is on a par with the West Bank; however, 90 percent of the water pumped into the coastal territory is deemed un-potable by the WHO.
Among the reasons for the water inequity in the West Bank is water loss, calculated at 30 percent. Repair and upgrade of the infrastructure, however, is subject to Israeli approval. "Such approvals," B'Tselem notes, "are rare."
The reaction against Schulz and his comments were generally personal in nature. The tactic is called ad hominem and is used to change the subject.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also weighed in, but admitted in his response a water "discrepancy."
The literature on water inequality in Palestine is extensive and redundant. It is a serious problem, and anyone who has traveled there and spent time in the territories can attest. In his remarks, Netanyahu also added that "Water isn’t a good topic for attacking Israel." From his perspective, that's probably accurate.
