Activists of Green Course, which incorporates several environmental and social NGOs, demonstrated outside the home of Minister Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom last night to protest against the government intention of approving gas exports. The demonstrator gathered at 9 pm at the Elite intersection in Ramat Gan before marching to the minister's home.
"We were happy to see that Minister Energy and Water Resources Silvan Shalom decided a few days ago to cut the export percentages of the Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) and Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) gas monopoly, and to publish the minutes of the Tzemach Committee," said Michal Shukrun, the spokeswoman of the organization's Save Israel's Gas campaign. "But the minister's statements are not enough. We demand full disclosure, not only of the Tzemach Committee's minutes, but of all the documents and studies which accompany the committee's conclusion, and to hold a transparent Knesset plenum debate, so that the Israeli public will be a partner in the decision on how to use the natural treasure discovered offshore, the natural gas."
Green Course held a similar demonstration outside Shalom's home two week ago, during which several demonstrators were arrested in clashes with the police. Demonstrators also tried to block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv near the Central Railway Station (Arlozorov).
Israel Yekara Lanu participated in the demonstration. In a statement it said, "This is a national interest. This is not just an environmental issue. Development of the Leviathan field is necessary to create reserves for the supply of gas to Israel. It is unacceptable to hold the economy hostage to exports. We have seen how one year without gas cost the economy billions. Leviathan should be developed for the good of the domestic economy."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 26, 2013
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