Jordanian MPs protest government decision to import Israeli gas

Nearly 40 Jordanian MP demanded the Jordanian government prevent the national electricity company from signing an agreement to import gas from Israel, the Anadolu news agency reported.

In a memorandum submitted by MP Khamis Attia during a session yesterday, the group said: “We the undersigned deputies call on the government to prevent the national electricity company from signing an agreement to import gas from the State of Israel,” adding, “We deplore any agreement to import gas from Israel. The government or the national electricity company must not sign any agreement with Israel which would contribute to the occupation.”

The MPs considered “the solution to Jordan’s energy problem is to use alternative energy through partnerships with other Arab states and not with Israel.”

Jordan’s Energy Minister Mohammed Hamid said last Wednesday that Jordan’s National Electric Power Company had signed a letter of intent with US Noble Energy on behalf of Israel Leviathan offshore reservoir to supply Jordan with 45 billion cubic metres of natural gas over a 15-year period.

In remarks he made to Anadolu Hamid said the final agreement between the two parties would be signed in November.

US Noble Energy owns exploration and extraction rights of natural gas in basin east of the Mediterranean Sea and is a partner of Israel Leviathan.

Jordan suffered from a deficit in energy after the Egyptian natural gas supply declined to very low levels over the past months, prompting authorities to raise energy prices.