Radio Atlantic - Episode Summary: "Water Is Not Political"

Introduction

In the March 13, 2025 episode of Radio Atlantic titled "Water Is Not Political," hosted by Hanna Rosen and featuring guest Claudine Abade, the discussion delves into the critical issue of water scarcity in Gaza amidst ongoing political turmoil and conflict. The episode explores how water infrastructure has been devastated by war, the personal story of Marwan Bardaweel—a dedicated water engineer—and the broader implications for the Palestinian population.

The Fragile Ceasefire and Its Impact on Gaza

The episode opens with Hanna Rosen highlighting the precarious state of the ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing its fragility amidst continued violence and political disagreements. Rosen sets the stage by referencing a previous episode featuring Marwan Bardaweel, a water engineer committed to maintaining access to clean water for Gazans despite escalating conflicts.

Hanna Rosen [00:36]: "With every day that goes by, the ceasefire in Gaza, if we can even still call it that, seems increasingly fragile."

Rosen recounts the dire situation in Gaza, where power cuts severely affect access to clean water for the 2 million residents. The discussion underscores the essential role of electricity in providing safe drinking water, a lifeline for survival in the region.

Marwan Bardaweel's Journey and Decision to Leave Gaza

Claudine Abade provides a detailed account of Marwan Bardaweel's experiences during the war. At 61 years old, Marwan, a father and grandfather, was initially displaced from northern to southern Gaza following Israeli airstrikes in early October. Facing relentless pressure and a near-death experience, Marwan made the difficult decision to relocate his family to Egypt.

Marwan Bardaweel [03:30]: "I'm one of the no house. And when you lost, when your houses became a repel, you don't just lost your house, you lost your house, your memories. So it's like you moved, having nothing, you lost everything. Just you are here. It's like you saved your body from physical death."

Abade explains that the exodus to Egypt was facilitated by an Egyptian company, albeit at a significant cost—$5,000 per adult and $2,500 per child—highlighting the non-altruistic nature of the evacuation process.

The State of Water Infrastructure in Gaza Before and During the War

Rosen and Abade discuss the precariousness of Gaza's water system even before the conflict intensified on October 7th. The Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) relied on a patchwork of sources, including Israeli water (10%) and groundwater from 306 wells. Desalination plants and water tankers supplemented this supply, but the average water consumption was a mere 80 liters per day compared to the American standard of 300 liters.

Claudine Abade [05:09]: "With that arrangement, the average person in Gaza was getting around 80 liters of water a day. And most Americans, we use about 300 liters of water a day."

The war exacerbated these issues, with extensive bombing campaigns damaging critical infrastructure. Abade details the destruction of the Palestinian Water Authority office and significant damage to desalination plants and sewage systems by summer 2024, leading to severe health crises.

Claudine Abade [07:42]: "By the summer of 2024, almost every connection point, every desalination plant, every sewage station had either been totally destroyed or had sustained some amount of damage."

The contamination of water sources led to outbreaks of acute diarrhea and hepatitis A, with a shocking instance of a 10-month-old testing positive for polio—the first case in Gaza in 25 years—prompting a massive vaccination campaign.

Ceasefire and the Ongoing Struggle for Water Access

As the episode progresses, Rosen notes the slight improvement in water availability following a ceasefire, with some areas receiving 7 to 10 liters of water daily. However, this progress remains fragile, as evidenced by recent power cuts disrupting desalination efforts.

Claudine Abade [09:22]: "And last month, when I checked in with the Palestinian Water Authority, at least one connection point with Israel was flowing again. And one main desalination plant was reconnected to Israel's power grid. And so that was helping."

The uncertainty looms as political decisions directly impact the availability of clean water, emphasizing the intersection of basic human needs and geopolitical dynamics.

Competing Visions for Rebuilding Gaza's Water Infrastructure

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the divergent approaches to rebuilding Gaza's water infrastructure. Claudine Abade contrasts former U.S. President Donald Trump's vision of a "Middle Eastern Riviera," which entails displacing Palestinians to Arab countries and the U.S. taking over reconstruction, with a recent plan proposed by Arab nations.

Claudine Abade [10:19]: "Trump's vision is a Middle Eastern riviera... However, last week, Arab countries came together in Egypt and they agreed on a plan that could potentially include the Water Authority. They say their plan will cost $53 billion. It would be one that calls for rebuilding Gaza in a way that doesn't displace Gazans, and it calls for a Palestinian government to manage the rebuilding."

The Arab-led initiative advocates for a $53 billion investment to rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents, empowering the Palestinian government to oversee the process. This approach starkly contrasts with the U.S.-led proposal, highlighting the complexities and competing interests in international efforts to aid Gaza.

Marwan Bardaweel's Role and Philosophy

Marwan Bardaweel emerges as a central figure embodying resilience and dedication. His decades-long commitment to rebuilding Gaza's water infrastructure serves as a microcosm of the broader Palestinian struggle for self-sufficiency and sovereignty.

Marwan Bardaweel [16:35]: "I am talking about myself all the time. I run away to issues, to the professional life, to the work. Just not to keep thinking on the personal issues, because it's like you will be burned by just thinking."

Abade portrays Marwan as someone who finds solace and purpose in his professional work, allowing him to navigate the personal traumas inflicted by war. His focus on water—a fundamental human necessity—transcends politics, yet he acknowledges that political circumstances ultimately dictate the viability of access to clean water for Gazans.

Hope and the Future of Gaza's Water Sector

Despite the bleak landscape, there is a glimmer of hope in Marwan's six-month plan to rehabilitate Gaza's water sector during the ceasefire. This initiative symbolizes Gazan agency in rebuilding their community, countering external narratives that often overlook local expertise and leadership.

Claudine Abade [10:06]: "Even the fact that they have a six month plan seems really important to note, because what that symbolizes is Gazans rebuilding for themselves as opposed to the other visions, which are the US or somebody else doing it for them."

Marwan's enduring commitment underscores the resilience of the Palestinian people and their determination to restore essential services independently, even amidst political and logistical challenges.

Conclusion

"Water Is Not Political" offers a poignant exploration of the intersection between conflict, infrastructure, and human resilience in Gaza. Through Marwan Bardaweel's personal narrative and the broader analysis of water scarcity, the episode illuminates the profound impact of political instability on basic human needs. The discussion underscores the critical importance of empowering local leaders and communities in the face of adversity, advocating for solutions that prioritize the well-being and autonomy of the Palestinian people.

Notable Quotes

• Hanna Rosen [00:36]: "With every day that goes by, the ceasefire in Gaza, if we can even still call it that, seems increasingly fragile."

• Marwan Bardaweel [03:30]: "You lost everything. Just you are here. It's like you saved your body from physical death."

• Claudine Abade [10:19]: "They say their plan will cost $53 billion. It would be one that calls for rebuilding Gaza in a way that doesn't displace Gazans, and it calls for a Palestinian government to manage the rebuilding."

• Marwan Bardaweel [16:35]: "I run away to issues, to the professional life, to the work. Just not to keep thinking on the personal issues, because it's like you will be burned by just thinking."

Attributions

• Claudine Abade: Executive Producer of Atlantic Audio and guest discussing Marwan Bardaweel's story.
• Marwan Bardaweel: Water engineer in Gaza, whose experiences and decisions form the core narrative of the episode.
• Hanna Rosen: Host of Radio Atlantic, guiding the conversation and providing contextual analysis.

Production Credits

• Produced by: Jocelyn Frank
• Edited by: Andrea Valdez
• Engineered by: Erica Huang
• Fact-Checked by: Sam Fentress
• Executive Producer: Claudine Abade
• Managing Editor: Andrea Valdez