Protection of the environment continues to be superseded by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, causing widespread disruption and inequities in the supply of clean water in the region.
That's according to environmental group EcoPeace Middle East which has brought together Palestinian, Israeli and Jordanian environmentalists in the hope of promoting sustainable regional development.
The group's co-director Gidon Bromberg said one of the organisation's ongoing priorities has been the rehabilitation of the Jordan river.
"The Jordan River south of the Sea of Galilee over the past 50 years has basically been turned into sewerage canal."
The co-chair of EcoPeace Middle East calls for conflicting sides to co-operate in the rehabilitation of the Jordan River.
Mr Bromberg said the river had become a victim of ongoing conflicts in the region with the mind set of those involved causing each side to try and use the Jordan River for its own benefit regardless of the consequences.
"The Jordan River ... has basically been turned into sewerage canal."
"The river is the international border and in the mind set of conflict you don't want to allow fresh water where fresh water is scarce to flow to benefit your enemy."
Mr Bromberg said 95 to 96 per cent of the fresh water that once flowed down the Jordan River was taken by Israel, Syria and Jordan with Palestinians having no access to clean water because of their geographical position.
The river is sacred to the three major religions of the region, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, a fact Mr Bromberg said should compel all countries involved to work together for its continued rehabilitation.
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