Jordanians Protest Multi-Billion Dollar Gas Deal with «Israel»

Local Editor

Thousands of protesters staged a protest in Amman on Friday to demonstrate against a $10 billion gas deal between Jordan and "Israel".

The deal will supply 1.6 trillion feet [tcf] of gas to Jordan's National Electric Power Company and marks a significant step forward in the "Israeli" entity's efforts to exploit its offshore gas reserves.

But protesters said they didn't want a deal with the entity, saying the government had other energy alternatives.

"ISraeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had often played up "Israel's" potential as an economic partner with Sunni Arab countries in the region.

In that respect, the deal with Jordan represents a breakthrough.

While the "Israeli" entity and Jordan signed a peace deal in 1994, relations are not always good, but as economic ties deepen, "Israel" hopes they will become firmer.

Talks on the contract began more than two years ago.

The 15-year deal for the massive Leviathan natural gas field, which holds an estimated 22 tcf of gas, should help the US-"Israeli" group secure funds to bring it online.

Production is expected to begin around 2019 or 2020.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team