Discussion of projected gas deal with Israel continues on Twitter

AMMAN — Social media users had mixed reactions this week to the projected deal to import gas from Israel. 

“Israel steals the natural gas from the Arabs and we buy it. This is a joke,” tweeted Ehsan Omari (@ehsanalomary).

Mujahed Al Tahle (@mujahedaltahle) had similar remarks, wondering why Jordan does not develop its Risheh gas field to increase production.

Many others, including Mahmoud Daaja (@mahmoud_aldaaja), said buying Israeli gas is “treason”.

“I think the government should buy cheap gas from anywhere. It does not matter. But at the same time, the government should not keep increasing electricity prices,” @Jotechie tweeted.

Another Twitter user called Mohsen (@Mohsen-330) said:”Egypt which used to provide Jordan with gas is now buying from Israel. We need to meet our needs of gas.”

Other tweeps posted several pictures and banners in protest against the deal with Israel, saying “no to buying gas from the Israeli occupation”.

In September this year, the government said the state-owned National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) will sign a deal in November to buy natural gas from Israeli fields starting late in 2017.

NEPCO signed a letter of intent in September with US-based Noble Energy, which owns 39 per cent of the Leviathan natural gas field in Israel, to buy gas over a period of 15 years at a total cost of $15 billion.

If NEPCO signs the agreement, it will be the second with Noble Energy, as the Arab Potash Company (APC) signed a $771 million agreement under which the Texas-based company will provide APC with 66 billion cubic metres of natural gas over a period of 15 years.  

Jordan, which imports about 96 per cent of its energy needs, is witnessing a rising demand on electricity, which stands at about 6 per cent annually.