War of positions:
Officials in Lapid's circle today (Monday) came out in defense of the emerging agreement surrounding the Shark rig and told "Israel Hayom": "Is the agreement a compromise? The answer is yes. For ten years they did not reach an agreement because they were unable to reach a compromise and now they have succeeded. A window of opportunity until October 31, when the Lebanese president ends his term and after that the window of opportunity will close."
According to them, "The one pushing and wanting this agreement is the security establishment, which sees the agreement as a stabilizing factor in the region. In the end, there is a real security threat here. If there is no agreement, they will have no rig and nothing. We gave up a few meters of water, but there will be an agreement."
Shark rig (archive), photo: courtesy of Energian PR
Regarding Ambassador Friedman's claims, people around Lapid say: "Friedman is rambling, he is campaigning against Biden. This is an agreement that is important to Biden, important to Macron, and important to Israel. It is important to Israel because of security, regional stability vis-a-vis Lebanon and the desire to weaken Hezbollah. This is not about surrender, all mo." M is a waiver.
As for the debate about the party that will approve the agreement and whether it will reach the Knesset: "The agreement will be submitted to the Knesset. But it should be remembered that the Abraham Accords also reached the Knesset after they were signed, and we voted in favor and added that this is a historic achievement. There will be the cabinet that will discuss it, the government, and there is also the ombudsman "Shit and guarantees by the US. In any case, the concessions are not far-reaching. The agreement has zero importance in terms of mandates, like the Abraham agreements. The political claims are political in themselves."
Bennett hesitates
In the meantime, the alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is also in discussions with the relevant parties regarding the agreement. Bennett has not yet publicly expressed his opinion on the matter. Let us recall that if the agreement reaches the government's approval, Bennett has the right of veto. The agreement will be a significant minefield for Lapid at the public level.
Bennett and Lapid.
Will the replacement Prime Minister support?, Photo: Yonatan Zindel/Flash 90
The head of the opposition, Benjamin Netanyahu, also commented on the agreement being formed: "What do you think Hezbollah will do with these billions? It will use this money to arm itself with missiles and rockets aimed at Israeli cities. This is a shameful surrender under the threat of terrorism. The agreement with Hezbollah is illegal and therefore will not be binding The strong right-wing government we will establish."
Netanyahu on the gas agreement with Lebanon: "shameful surrender under the threat of terrorism" // Photo: Moshe Ben Simhon
The Likud chairman added that "we are in a dangerous period.
Because of the government of Lapid, Gantz and Abbas, with the support of Ahmed Tibi, Israel is weaker and in great danger.
It's time to say - Halas.
Enough of this dangerous government of weakness.
We fought with the torch to get the gas out of the water and he resisted us.
Here he is taking the gas of the citizens of Israel and giving it to Hezbollah and Nasrallah.
"Former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said today that Hezbollah received 100% and Israel received 0% and he is right.
Lapid gave the cake and barely left us crumbs.
We spent years trying to broker a deal between Israel and Lebanon on the disputed maritime gas fields.
Got very close with proposed splits of 55-60% for Lebanon and 45-40% for Israel.
No one then imagined 100% to Lebanon and 0% to Israel.
Would love to understand how we got here.
— David M Friedman (@DavidM_Friedman) October 3, 2022
Netanyahu and Lapid (archive), photo: Mark Israel Salem/Jerusalem Post
The Prime Minister did not remain obliged and responded: "I hear Netanyahu and his people continue to talk about the agreement with Lebanon without having seen it and without knowing what is in it.
So here is what Israel will receive: 100% of the security needs as defined by the security establishment, 100% of the Harish reservoir with 100% of the income for the citizens of Israel and even a percentage of the income from the gas field in Lebanon.
"I understand the frustration of those who have been unable to achieve such an agreement for ten years, but this is no reason to join the propaganda of Nasrallah and Hezbollah. The Israeli government will continue to work quietly to close the agreement for the benefit of the people of Israel and the State of Israel."
Lapid: "Understands the frustration of those who failed to obtain a gas agreement - this is not a reason to join Nasrallah's propaganda"
Participated in the preparation of the news: Amir Ettinger
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