Lapid in response to Netanyahu's words about the negotiations with Lebanon: "Harms Israeli interests"
The Prime Minister attacked the chairman of the opposition following an election video he distributed, in which he claimed that Lapid folded in the face of Hezbollah's threats, and therefore would not operate the "Shark" gas rig.
Netanyahu published the words, even though they are not factually correct.
In the meantime, it is estimated that in the coming days the American envoy will present the draft of the agreement
Barak Ravid
09/21/2022
Wednesday, September 21, 2022, 6:20 p.m. Updated: 6:38 p.m.
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Prime Minister Yair Lapid above the shark rig (Omer Miron, PM)
Prime Minister Yair Lapid today (Wednesday) attacked opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu for an election video he distributed regarding talks with Lebanon on the maritime border.
"Netanyahu's statement is a terrible irresponsibility. It is a violation of the Israeli government's negotiations, a violation of our security, political and economic interests," Lapid said at a press briefing in New York.
why is it important
The negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are at a crucial moment.
In recent days, negotiations have been going on in New York between the American mediators and the Israeli and Lebanese teams.
It is estimated that in the coming days the American envoy Amos Hochstein will present a draft agreement to the parties.
This morning there was another round of talks with the American mediators who met with Lapid's advisors, and then met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his advisors.
The Harish gas rig (photo: official website, Energian company)
In the news center
Netanyahu released an election video yesterday, in which he claimed that Lapid bowed to the threats of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and did not activate the "Shark" gas rig.
Netanyahu claimed that Lapid intends to give up gas reserves worth billions that will fall into the hands of Hezbollah.
Netanyahu's words were factually incorrect.
The "Shark" rig has not been activated yet, because the "Energean" company has not completed the necessary technical tests and is the one that postponed the activation.
Lapid himself said that Israel will activate "Shark" regardless of Nasrallah's threats.
Also, the emerging agreement is very similar to the agreement that the Netanyahu government negotiated.
The one who led the talks at the time was Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz.
what are they saying
Lapid said in a press briefing that the negotiations with Lebanon are complex, but are at an advanced stage.
"I gave our negotiating teams very clear parameters in coordination with the Minister of Defense where our needs are in terms of security, politics and economics," said Lapid.
The prime minister added that he felt "cautiously optimistic" about the ability to reach an agreement.
"If we achieve this while maintaining our parameters - good, if not - the State of Israel is strong and will know how to defend itself," said Lapid.
Lapid claimed that Netanyahu does not know the details of the talks at all.
"I saw what Netanyahu took out about it, it's a terrible national irresponsibility. The prime minister is in New York at the UN assembly.
It's not something you can expect in advance for the opposition to make videos for a campaign.
I was the head of the opposition and in similar situations I behaved completely differently," said Lapid.
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Yair Lapid
Benjamin Netanyahu
Lebanon
gas rigs
2022 election