A story out of Jerusalem about drought in Israel reminds that the place labels change, but the themes remain:

Israel’s water problem stems from population growth and an improvement in quality of life that brings a greater desire to water lawns and gardens, Schor said. This winter was the fourth that Israel got less than average rain, with only about 50-60 percent of the average in most areas, he said.

Critics of government policy note that agriculture uses a large proportion of Israel’s water, receiving heavily subsidized water rates. Since Israel in any event does not grow much of the food it needs, they say, irrigation for farming should be drastically curtailed.