Israeli Energy Minister and US Ambassador Inspect "Leviathan" Platform Amid Political Messages

SadaNews - Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen visited the "Leviathan" offshore natural gas extraction platform, accompanied by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, in a visit described as "showy," aimed at affirming Israel's position as a regional energy source.

The visit came after the announcement of a $35 billion gas deal with Egypt, but the focus was not on the deal itself, rather on the messages carried by the visit, especially considering Huckabee's participation, who is known for his pro-settlement stances and opposition to the two-state solution.

Cohen stated during the tour: "Natural gas is a strategic asset for us, and this platform embodies our neighbors' reliance on Israel, and the role of the energy sector in the stability of the Middle East."

He added that Israel is ready to expand its assistance in the fields of energy and water to countries such as Lebanon and Syria, "on the day the region is freed from Iran's grip, and Hezbollah stops being a terrorist factor," as he put it.

Notably in the visit was the public presence of the US ambassador, who is considered one of the most frequently visiting American figures to Israel, with his visits exceeding one hundred over the past decades. His appearance alongside Cohen at the gas platform carried clear signals of support for Israeli energy policies, and perhaps also for its regional stance.

This visit comes at a time when internal criticism from the Israeli opposition is intensifying, accusing the government of politicizing the energy sector, while Cohen continues his efforts to attract global energy companies to invest in Israeli offshore fields.