51ST STATE

US backs up gas deal with Israeli security and economic guarantees

Biden pledged to support Israel's security and economic rights that were established in the deal.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Published: OCTOBER 29, 2022
Jerusalem Post

Lapid welcomed US President Joe Biden to Israel in July.
(photo credit: KOBI GIDEON/GPO)


US President Joe Biden pledged to provide Israel with security and economic guarantees, in a letter he is expected to give Prime Minister Yair Lapid in the coming days, in light of the historic maritime agreement the Jewish state reached with Lebanon, according to a diplomatic source.

In the letter, the US reiterates its commitment to support the IDF in defending Israel. This is about strengthening the capacity of the IDF to protect the Jewish state, including against threats against Israeli vessels and energy assets.

The text of the letter was agreed upon Friday and will be signed in the coming days, according to a diplomatic source, who briefed reporters on the content of the document which has not been made public.

Biden clarified in the letter that the US recognizes the maritime boundary set by the agreement as the "status quo" and will oppose any attempt to modify that boundary unless both Israel and Lebanon agree to that change.

Should the agreement be violated, the US would stand with Israel to prevent any such attempt to undermine the deal, Biden promised Lapid in the letter.


PRIME MINISTER Yair Lapid, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Energy Minister Karin Elharrar hold a press conference on the maritime border deal with Lebanon, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, on Wednesday. (credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)

The letter mentioned in specific the US determination to prevent Hezbollah from profiting from the deal, which sets a boundary line between two abutting gas fields — Karish and Kana — so that both countries can peacefully produce natural gas.

What was agreed in the deal?

Under the terms of the maritime agreement signed on Thursday, Israel will receive 17% of the revenues from the Sidon-Kana field. The US will support Israel's receipt of those revenues, the letter explains.

Overall the document exceeds policy statements already made by the US with respect to the agreement as it pledged to back up Israel's security and economic rights.

The letter which is likely to be signed prior to Tuesday's election acknowledges Lapid's role in helping achieve the deal which it explains is a first step to promoting stability between Israel and Lebanon.

Biden in the letter also reaffirms the importance of strong US-Israel relations as defined by the Jerusalem Declaration which both he and Lapid signed in July when the US President visited Israel
.