US Energy Secretary Cancels Visit to Israel Following Its Rejection of Gas Export Agreement to Egypt

SadaNews - US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has canceled his planned six-day visit to Israel after his Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen, refused to endorse a massive gas export agreement recently reached between Israel and Egypt, according to Cohen's office.

In August, the Israeli "Leviathan" field signed a $35 billion agreement to export natural gas to Egypt, which is the largest export agreement in Israel's history, according to the "Times of Israel." However, Cohen's office reported that he would not approve the deal until "fair prices for the Israeli market" are reached, adding that the administration of former President Donald Trump had exerted significant pressure on Cohen and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to endorse the agreement.

The newspaper also reported that the American energy giant "Chevron," which operates the field, is also pressuring Israel to endorse the deal.

According to Cohen's office, he has "demanded that prices for the Israeli market remain attractive," adding: "Since negotiations have not yet been completed, Cohen refused to endorse the export until this issue is resolved."

Cohen's office's statement has caused noticeable tension with the Trump administration at a time when Washington is intensifying efforts in cooperation with Israel to advance Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.

Cohen's office states: "At the same time, efforts are being made to resolve the diplomatic aspects between Israel and Egypt."