Israeli Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, has rejected proposed changes by the Lebanese government to a maritime border and gas extraction agreement, a senior Israeli political source said on Thursday, September 29th. Beirut’s deputy parliament speaker sent U.S. officials ‘amendments’ to the draft accord on Tuesday, September 27th, prompting a U.S. official to tell Israeli media the suggested modifications did not include a ‘poison pill’ that could torpedo the initiative. Nevertheless, Lapid instructed Israeli negotiators who are in touch with the United States mediator and special energy envoy, Amos Hochstein, to reject the additions.
“Prime Minister, Lapid, made it clear that Israel will not compromise on its security and economic interests in any manner, even if that means that there will not be an agreement soon,” said the source. “Israel will produce [gas] from the Karish platform as soon as this is possible. If Hezbollah or anyone else attempts to harm the Karish rig or threaten us—the negotiations over the maritime border will cease immediately, and Hassan Nasrallah will have to explain to Lebanon’s citizens why they don’t have a gas rig or an economic future,” the source said.
