"Even after the cabinet and the Knesset have approved the gas outline agreement, there are still people that want us to perform a u-turn. We must all respect democratic decisions," said Minister of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources Yuval Steinitz, attacking opponents of the gas agreement.
Steinitz was speaking at the Energy and Business 2015 Conference in Tel Aviv. He added, "The agreement is not only good, it is the best possible under the circumstances in Israel."
Steinitz also took issue with the charge by the agreement's opponents that it perpetuates the gas monopoly. "Today there is the biggest monopoly. It is an intimidating monopoly. There is currently a field controlled by Delek and Noble Energy. Opponents of the agreement are not in fact interested in bringing in new players, in bringing down gas prices, and not interested that there will be revenue from gas sales and not interested in energy security."
Steinitz recounted that after approval of the gas agreement, it is now possible to open Israel's economic waters for further exploration. He claims that the renewal of gas exploration in Israel's waters is an aim that is no less important than developing the existing gas reservoirs. He said, "I've already begun a round of meetings with US companies and tried to persuade them to invest in existing fields and search for other gas fields."
Greenpeace activists burst onto the stage when Steinitz was speaking and call out, "The stone age has ended. Progress to solar energy."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 23, 2015
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