(JNi.media) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday signed the Gas outline agreement, in his capacity as Minister of the Economy. His signature activated Section 52 of the Antitrust Law, which allows him to use security grounds to override the Antitrust Commissioner, David Gilo, who resigned because he believed the new deal would limit competition in Israel’s energy market.
Netanyahu said at the ceremony: “The gas was given to us as a gift from God, and it will make us an energy Superpower. It is underground and we need to dig it out. An hour ago I signed a letter to MK Eitan Cabel (Chairman of the Knesset Economic Committee). I accepted the opinion of the majority—seven MKs. I also read the opinion of the minority—six MKs. Unfortunately it has become a political, populist debate. I weighed everything and decided to approve the gas outline today.”
Speaking about his vision for the state, Netanyahu said, “I have three visions: the first one a GDP of half a trillion dollars (it currently hovers around $300 billion)—it will give us the tools for security, to build our country. The second vision … Be’er Sheva will become a city of half a million people. This will spread to all the communities in the Negev. This changes the Negev and, of course, requires a large investment, it requires boosting the private sector, the engine that brings all the growth and blessings for all the residents of Israel. The third vision is to narrow the gaps and involve all citizens of Israel in education and welfare. Because of these visions, we need to give gas to the State of Israel and its residents. The gas will make us a very important energy force in the world.”
Energey Minister Yuval Steinitz said that the signing of the outline was a day of celebration for Israel. “After years of unnecessary and harmful delays … we are finally moving forward to develop the gas reserves. We as a public will pay less than average, among the lowest, but not as low as the price of gas for industry and electricity production. What is demonstrated here is that against waves of legitimate criticism, which often slipped to illegitimate violence, half-truths and wrong information — once you decide to do the right thing, you can. If I had not taken responsibility and didn’t formulate the outline, I would have been derelict in performing my duty as Energy Minister.”
MK Shelly Yachimovich (Zionist camp-Labor) said that the fight against the outline is not over. “This is an agreement of surrender. A loss for Israel. Netanyahu tells us it’s not a day of mourning. True, it’s not a day of mourning, but it’s a tough day. And if someone thinks that the struggle is over — they’re wrong. The struggle is just beginning. The public won’t give up so quickly on its assets. … The test goes to the Supreme Court, let them decide what’s best for Israel,” she told Walla.
Yachimovich added that Netanyahu was working against the public interest. “The gas monopoly will receive a personal letter of submission today from the Prime Minister, in which he informs Noble Energy and [Israeli business magnate] Yitzhak Tshuva that he is violating the antitrust law and gives them a gift of eternal monopoly on the natural resources of the State of Israel, at any overpriced rate they feel like charging.”
Meretz Chairwoman MK Zahava Gal-On appealed to the Supreme Court Thursday morning, against the Prime Minister’s use of Section 52 of the Antitrust Law. “The prime minister’s decision is tainted by extraneous considerations, fabricated security pretexts, and extreme unreasonableness. Meretz is asking the Supreme Court to issue an interim order preventing the start of operations of the natural gas outline, until a final decision is reached regarding its future,” the appeal said.
