Tension flaring as Israel cuts water supplies to Jordan

"We are dealing with a particular and very critical problem," said the spokesman. "It is important to put this into perspective, as our relations with Jordan are and remain strong and healthy."

He added that a series of meetings between the Jordanians and the Israelis has been called and that Sharon is confident the matter would be resolved.

An official in the Prime Minister's Office, meanwhile, belittled the suggestion raised in the Jordanian cabinet regarding severing ties with Israel, saying that "just as any fool can raise any issue he wants in our Knesset, so apparently, the situation is similar in Jordan."

Water experts have frequently predicted a scenario in which competition for the scarce resource could be the cause of war in the Middle East.

Palestinians, too, expect a severe water shortage in their areas, Palestinian Authority Environment Minister Yousef Abu Safiyeh said last week, blaming the drought and also Israeli policies.

He accused Israel of violating its agreement to supply Palestinian areas with water. "Israel gives us water only if there is a surplus, only after the pools at the Jewish settlements are full," he said.