Israeli PM to push gas agreement through Knesset

Netanyahu and Liberman
Netanyahu and Liberman

Benjamin Netanyahu fears that Avigdor Liberman's Yisrael Beitenu may withdraw support for the agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to push through the gas agreement. Despite the recess, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein yesterday summoned MKs to a session on Monday morning starting at 10am to vote on the matter.

On the agenda will also be a vote to transfer the powers of Ministry of Economy Aryeh Deri to bypass the Antitrust Authority under Clause 52 to the cabinet. These powers also cover such important topics as increasing production from the Tamar field and the development of the Leviathan, Karish and Tanin natural gas fields.

The Knesset will also vote on the gas agreement itself, which the cabinet passed last month.

In order to achieve a majority in the Knesset, Netanyahu will need the support of Avigdor Liberman's opposition Yisrael Beitenu party. However, in Netanyahu's entourage, there are serious concerns that Liberman, who supports the gas agreement, will change his position at the last moment, and thus pull the rug out from under the Prime Minister's feet.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 4, 2015

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2015

Netanyahu and Liberman
Netanyahu and Liberman
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