Production at the off-shore Tamar Field, operated by US-based Noble Energy with help from smaller partners, has reportedly begun today, providing a huge boost in natural gas production in Israel.
Tamar is about 50 miles west of Haifa, and is one of several gas fields in the Mediterranean in this area. Other fields are disputed, with Israel and Lebanon both claiming ownership. The Lebanese government’s own statement on where they believe the maritime border to be does not include Tamar Field, however.
That means an almost immediate reduction in energy prices inside of Israel, with the state-run electricity company the first beneficiary. When production gets up to its maximum, financial experts say that Israel could become not only energy independent, but a net exporter.
If Israel begins exporting billions of dollars annually worth of natural gas, it must inevitably raise the question of how they will continue to justify soliciting massive aid packages from the West, with the US providing many billions of dollars annually itself, and may give those nations, with budget problems of their own, a good reason to ditch subsidies to Israel.
With or without Gas.., Israel should live without US help of any kind.., that is after when they give back the stolen land back to Palestinians.
All proceeds from gas either off the Israeli coast or Gaza coast must be set aside for the massive compensation claims due to the Palestinians.
Great point in the last paragraph!
Another theft from Israel?, this time form Lebanon? The very moment this truly satanic regime becomes history, that very moment Mankind can start seriously talk about Universal Peace…peter czech
Anything that helps us kick out this petulant spoiled brat is OK by me. Cut all subsidies to Israel and get a repayment for all of the stuff lent so far.
Of course, Israel will exploit its neighbors' resource plus keep every dime of "aid" and strive to get more. Israel never has and never will have a shortage of chutzpah
What can one expect from a people incapable of guilt and never troubled by shame.
being a minor player in the energy export market does not in any way equate to the guaranteed aid.
the profits of exporting will end up,first enriching a few people,
second israels have a high standard of living and much will be go to some form of welfare state program.
finally being dependt on sales means isreal will be dependent on the opinions of the buyers,
as well as being subject to larger energy producers out competing them.
Likewise, expect to see a very "selective" process in who will be drilling and where. Hopefully the Russians will come in and partner with those that will drill in the areas that will grant royalties to the "less popular" countries.
I've said it before: time to end the aid to Israel. Any country — and I mean Israel, India, Pakistan, etc — which can afford to create and maintain a nuclear arsenal has enough money to take care of itself.
Keeping millions of Palestinians defenseless and rightless in and around the Jewish apartheid state will always require US military support, directly and indirectly.
Former Iranian and current turncoat Reza Khalili already came up with a scare story to pressure the McCain gang to keep subsidizing the Schnorrer State. http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/04/experts_co…
Israeli settlers should not look forward to lower gas bills, and the Native People of Palestine will see their gas bills double as usual.