Skip to main content

Netanyahu, Cabel battle over natural gas outline

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Zionist Camp Knesset member Eitan Cabel said he will fight to ensure that any deal to exploit Israel's offshore natural gas will be in the public's best interest.
An Israeli gas platform, controlled by a U.S.-Israeli energy group, is seen in the Mediterranean sea, some 15 miles (24 km) west of Israel's port city of Ashdod, in this file picture taken February 25, 2013. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has won more time to overcome a political hurdle after parliament postponed a vote on authorising the government to secure a deal on developing Israel's natural gas fields. Picture taken February 25, 2013. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/Files - RTX1IDQI
Read in 

Zionist Camp member Eitan Cabel was selected June 1 to chair the much-coveted Knesset Economic Affairs Committee, beating the former chair of his own party, Shelly Yachimovich, in a secret ballot by the faction. In addition to being a demonstration of his political clout, the victory awarded Cabel the chairmanship of one of the Knesset’s most important committees in terms of economic reforms. Chief among such issues will be the one concerning the country’s vast and rich natural gas deposits discovered offshore.

For a few years now, the government has been negotiating the development and distribution of these resources and earnings with gas companies. The topic remains a constant on Israel's public agenda, which will bring Cabel media prominence and a chance to influence the final outline of a gas deal.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.