[…]
At the start of the hearing, Netanyahu appeared in person to argue in favor of the gas deal.
“This is the first time I’ve asked to appear before the High Court, and to the best of my knowledge, this is the first time in Israel’s history that any prime minister has asked to do so,” he said. “I asked to appear before you because of the enormous importance I ascribe to developing the gas fields, and because of my assessment that we’re at a critical point in time … We’re at the eleventh hour from the standpoint of our ability to realize our gas potential. Any further delay, any step backward will lead to grave consequences that it’s doubtful we can overcome.”
Asked about the cabinet’s decision to override the antitrust commissioner’s veto of the agreement, and especially the stability clause, he replied, “I’m aware that this is an unusual move, but regulation is supposed to regulate the market – not to strangle it.” He stressed that this is the first time he has exercised this authority in 10 years as premier, and said it was necessary under the circumstances, because “I’m convinced it wasn’t possible to reach an agreement with the companies without the regulatory stability clause.”
“The deal that was approved has no real alternative, and I fear any additional delay will cause serious, long-term damage to Israel,” Netanyahu continued. “Without the deal, there will be no competition and no investments and no development of existing and new gas fields … Out of an excess of good intentions, we’re liable to miss a historic golden opportunity.”
Currently, he noted, Israel relies on a single gas field, Tamar, which has already been attacked once, during the 2014 Gaza war.
“The situation of a single field endangers the country and its energy security,” Netanyahu argued. “More than half of Israel’s electricity is produced from natural gas. Our enemies know very well that we have only one field. I’m speaking of enemies to the north, the south and the east, far and near, and they aren’t treading water.”
Netanyahu also stressed the deal’s diplomatic importance. “I want to harness natural gas for the sake of regional cooperation,” he said, warning that if the deal isn’t approved promptly, allowing Leviathan’s development to begin, “We’re liable to lose our cooperation with Jordan, the Palestinians, Cyprus, Egypt and the European Union. The deal is a diplomatic lever of the highest order that will change the face of the region.”
He left immediately after finishing his speech, without the justices asking him any questions.
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