The High Court of Justice has given the green light to gas exports from Israel after rejecting the petition to nullify the cabinet decision to allow gas exports, on the grounds that the Knesset is required to legislate on the issue. The petition was filed by Labor party chairperson MK Shelly Yachimovich, other MKs and social organizations. The High Court did not publish the reasoning behind its ruling but said that the decision was reached by a majority of five justices with a minority of two justices supporting the petitioners.
The significance of the ruling is that gas exports can now go ahead, especially from the Leviathan field in accordance with the cabinet decision last June. The petitioners argued that the cabinet did not have the authority to decide on such an important national matter and that Knesset legislation is required.
In June the cabinet ruled that up to 40% of Israel's gas reserves can be exported.
The seven judge panel hearing the petition was Supreme Court President Asher Grunis, Vice President Miriam Naor, Edna Arbel, Elyakim Rubinstein, Salim Joubran, Esther Hayut, and Noam Sohlberg.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 21, 2013
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