Minister of National Infrastructure Avigdor Lieberman announced that he was reducing the amount of water being diverted to Jordan by 50% due to the critical water shortage at home. Jordan and Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs decried his decision. The National Infrastructure Ministry sent messages to the foreign ministry, water officials, and the US government on Monday informing them that the amount of water that would be channeled to Jordan would be cut from 50 million metric cubes annually to 25 million. Lieberman added that provisions for such a reduction are included in the water treaty with Jordan. The ministry’s director-general said that there is no water to give but expressed willingness to assist Jordan in establishing a water treatment facility. The news of the planned water cut prompted the foreign ministry to contact the prime minister, who ordered delaying implementation of the move until Tuesday, at which time senior officials will reach a decision. The foreign ministry explained that doing so would have diplomatic ramifications regarding Israel’s relationship with Jordan which is already described as strained.