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Friday, May 30, 2025

Dead Sea Area: Jordan and Israel Competition

 Nadene Goldfoot                                               

Kibbutz Kalya in Dead Sea Area since 1929

The Dead Sea is a salt lake is bordered by Jordan to the east and   Israeli-occupied Judea-Samaria (West Bank) and Israel to the west. It is an endorheic lake, meaning there are no outlet streams. 

DEAD SEA — It is an unparalleled wonder of the world: the lowest exposed spot on Earth, its therapeutic waters are so full of salt that bathers float right to the top. This natural spa is a source of rich minerals used by the ancient Egyptians for mummification, and fabled to be the biblical site of Sodom and Gomorrah. 

 Its eastern shore belongs to Jordan, and the southern half of its western shore belongs to Israel. The northern half of the western shore lies within the Palestinian Judea-Samaria (West Bank)  and has been under Israeli occupation since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The Jordan River, from which the Dead Sea receives nearly all its water, flows from the north into the lake.

At the initiative of ministers Israel Katz and Betzalel Smotrich, the Political-Security Cabinet approved the establishment of 22 Judea-Samaria (West Bank)  settlements  including the Dead Sea  region, and other places.  There are existing towns and settlements along the shore, including Kalya, Mitzpe Shalem, and Avnat.  Additionally, the Dead Sea region is a major focus for development, with significant investment in tourism and real estate projects. 


The Israeli settlement near the Dead Sea you are referring to is called Kalia, or Kaliya. It's a kibbutz located on the northern shore of the Dead Sea, within the West Bank. The international community generally considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal under international law, although the Israeli government disagrees. Kalya (Hebrewקַלְיָה) is an Israeli settlement organized as a kibbutz in the West Bank. It was originally established in 1929 but was occupied and destroyed by the Jordanians in 1948; it was later rebuilt in 1968 after the Six-Day War. Located on the northern shore of the Dead Sea, 360 meters below sea level, it falls under the jurisdiction of Megilot Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 490.

Several new towns and tourism projects are planned or underway in the Dead Sea area, both in Israel and Jordan, with a focus on developing tourism and expanding settlement in the region. These projects include new hotel complexes, mixed-use development zones, and the establishment of new communities. 

The Dead Sea Development Zone is a region around the Dead Sea that is undergoing development, with a focus on tourism, industry, and agricultureThe development efforts are being led by the Jordanian government, aiming to revitalize the area and promote sustainable growth while addressing the challenges posed by the shrinking Dead Sea.                          
      Crystal City: 
 lies on a superb site at the mouth of the Wadi Ma’in at the Dead Sea, with views into a dramatic gorge and over the sea. A mixed-use development, it is planned as a major tourist destination for Jordan.

The Jordanian city being built on the Dead Sea is called Crystal CityIt is a mixed-use development planned as a major tourist destination, featuring residential areas, a 5-star hotel, waterpark, and a beach club. The city is located at the mouth of the Wadi Ma'in, with views into a gorge and over the Dead Sea, according to Chapman Taylor. 
  • The Dead Sea area is known for its unique natural beauty and the healing properties of the Dead Sea's salty water and mud. The development includes the establishment of industrial zones to utilize the Dead Sea's resources, such as potash and other minerals. The development aims to support sustainable agriculture in the area, utilizing innovative irrigation and farming techniques to address water scarcity. The shrinking Dead Sea poses a significant challenge to the development efforts, requiring careful planning and management to ensure the long-term sustainability of the region. 
  • Recent visitors, including Dead Sea researcher Yael Kiro from Israel's

    Ofir Berman for NPR

Resource:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea#:~:text=bacteria%20and%20archaea.-,Human%20settlement,to%20the%20port%20of%20Aqaba.

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