California leftists won’t like it, but they should look to Israel for a case study on how to manage water in the desert, especially if they insist on continuing to grow water-intensive crops and allow their growing population to enjoy golf courses, lawns, and swimming pools.

I had the opportunity to visit Israel recently, and what struck me immediately was how much agriculture there was and how they did not waste much land at all, despite the very dry climate.

Israel is half desert and semi-arid, with a very pleasant Mediterranean climate in the north and along the coastline. It’s a lot like southern California, actually; both because of that climate and because they insist on planting orchards full of very thirsty plants.

In Israel, it is mangoes and watermelons. In California, there are almonds and avocados. Mangoes are tropical; they are estimated to use around 190 gallons of water per pound of fruit. California almonds require around three times as much as that per pound.

While California is in a constant state of emergency with water availability, Israel exports water. Israelis make more than they use; I cannot emphasize this enough. They have a surplus of water in the desert.

It’s not because miraculous water still flows eternally from the rock Moses struck twice........

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