Israel, Turkey and gas

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 05/18/2013 23:09 | JPOST EDITORIAL

[haffast]

Word is that both Israel and Turkey are seriously entertaining the notion of constructing an undersea pipeline to deliver Israeli natural gas to Turkey and, perhaps, hence to Europe.

The Turks reportedly have expressed willingness to foot part of the estimated $2 billion bill. Such pipelines exist elsewhere in the world, most notably from Russia and from Norway.

It is becoming evident that a veiled agenda underpinned the recent Turkish willingness to consider a rapprochement with Israel. Turkey, it appears, hankers after Israeli gas. The perceived Turkish softening was fueled by Israel’s offshore gas discoveries, a fact which nevertheless did not impel Ankara to forgo humiliating Israel.

Turkey grows increasingly dependent on Russia for its gas supplies. This hardly instills joy in Turkish hearts, especially considering the fact that Moscow and Ankara are at direct loggerheads over Syria. Israel, having repeatedly proven itself both reliable and exceedingly pliable, is now regarded as a safer bet for Turkish gas supplies – certainly safer than such alternatives to Russia as Iran. Moreover, Israeli gas could be had at a significantly lower cost.

But this is not all as rosy as meets the eye. Whereas Israel is incontrovertibly a dependable business partner, can we can count on Turkey? Still searing are memories of our own gas purchases from Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood takeover in Cairo abruptly terminated this mutually beneficial deal. There is no guarantee that Turkey would not go the same route, particularly given its about-turn against Israel a few years ago and the festering danger that it too might be a candidate for an even more extreme Islamic transformation than the one it has already undergone.

snip

[haffast]

There is of course a wholly different alternative – avoiding exports to Europe altogether and with them the undesirable competition with the ruthless Russians.

[faithhopecharity]

I’m unsure whether this particular gas pipeline idea is a good one or not, but certainly some mutually- beneficial long-term projects could be quite helpful in overcoming the anti-Semitism in the current Ankara regime.

worth exploring. (even with, and perhaps especially because of, the fleet of Russian warships recently deployed right in the middle of things there ... )

[Bobalu]

The Russian supplied supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles that Syria is obtaining may someday soon find their way into Hezbollah hands.

These would possibly be used to strike the Israeli offshore gas platforms as they have a 300km range. This will be a true SHTF moment.

These same cruise missiles could be used to blockade the port of Haifa. It would become a game of drop the blockade of Gaza and we will drop the blockade of Haifa... another SHTF moment.

[faithhopecharity]

well, the IDF is not going to let the terroristas get such dangerous weaponry.... that’s plain, openly stated by Isr’s leadership, and frankly very long overdue ...( Isr should have ended the terrorista threat years ago! Isr is far too pussy-footy, peaceable, patient, call it whatever.... for its own good, such only invites more trouble .. as history has demonstrated for thousands of years...ask any student of history or military science...)