The Fight Over Israel's Natural Gas
Despite what tycoons and the government might want, Israelis seek a just division of future revenues from natural gas reserves.
![Israel's Energy Minister Shalom listens during an interview with Reuters at his office in Tel Aviv Israel's Energy Minister Silvan Shalom listens during an interview with Reuters at his office in Tel Aviv May 21, 2013. Israel's newfound natural gas reserves will boost its regional clout and could help it improve ties with neighbouring states in need of new energy sources, Shalom said. Picture taken May 21, 2013. To match Interview ISRAEL-GAS/ REUTERS/Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY BUSINESS) - RTXZWBQ](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2013/06/1-RTXZWBQ.jpg/1-RTXZWBQ.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=5-IQlWeo)
Among the many social protests that have taken place in Israel since the “cottage cheese protest” of June 2011, the struggle over limiting the export of natural gas from Israel has all the elements needed to bring people out into the streets. It epitomizes the desire for social justice, which the Israeli public started demanding in the protest of summer 2011.
This is a struggle whose success or failure will directly affect us and future generations. If it succeeds, we will pay a lot less for electricity and achieve a victory in terms of a fair distribution of Israel’s natural resources. This struggle is exactly what we dreamed of when we asked for social justice — that decision makers prefer the public good over the interests of tycoons and other stakeholders.