The National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) which is owned entirely by the Jordanian government, has a signed a preliminary agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) to import large quantities of gas extracted from gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea under the control of the Zionist entity. Pursuant to the agreement (valued at 15 billion dollars), NEPCO will be supplied with 300 million cubic feet of gas daily for a period of 15 years from the Leviathan field for the purpose of generating electricity for citizens.
A detailed study (click here for complete study) prepared by the “Coordinating Committee for Groups Opposing Importation of Gas from the Zionist Entity” in partnership with energy expert Mika Minio-Paluello from the Platform Research Center specializing in energy affairs and headquartered in London, has uncovered that the share of the Zionist government from this deal being paid for by the Jordanian government (through funds paid by the citizens for their electricity bills) will be at least 8.4 billion dollars. Consequently, this money will be used to fund the Zionist war machine and aggression, while also funding the expansion of illegal settlements and enhancing the Zionist economy. Further, this deal will lead to strategic long-term subordination of Jordan to Israel in the domain of energy while connecting the citizens’ interests (i.e. electricity) directly to the enemy. To clarify the gravity of this situation, we point out here that this amount is slightly more than the cost of three future wars against Gaza similar to the last war waged by Israel which cost (according to official sources) 2.52 billion dollars.
From the gross amount of 15 billion dollars to be paid over 15 years which is the period of the agreement, Jordan will pay 56% of the 8.4 billion dollars to Israel in the form of royalties, windfall taxes levied and corporate taxes at a rate of 559 million dollars annually.
As for the remainder of the 15 billion dollars, it is distributed as follows:
- 9 billion dollars are the profits of the corporations possessing the rights to extract gas from the Leviathan field, including 2.93 billion dollars for Israeli companies which are Dilick, Avner and Rashio which own 61% of the rights of extraction, and 1.93 billion dollars for the American Noble Energy Co. which owns 39% of the extraction rights.
- 7 billion dollars to cover the costs of digging, extraction and management.
Within this context, the energy expert who prepared the report – Mika Minio-Paluello – has stated: “We have analyzed the gas deal which is anticipated to be signed between Jordan and Israel along with Israel’s financial system, and have based some information on previous experiences in Uganda, Iraq, Russia and Kazakhstan. Our calculations have shown that the Jordanian electricity consumer will be paying billions of dollars to the Israeli state: 8.4 billion dollars which will contribute to the building of new settlements and an increase of Israeli military spending.“
The deal for importation of gas from Israel is to be signed with NEPCO this month, has followed a gas importation agreement signed by the Arab Potash Co. and the Jordanian Bromin Co. with the enemy at a value of 500 million dollars at the start of this year, in addition to a similar agreement in the value of 1.2 billion dollars signed by the Palestine Co. for electricity generation. However, the volume of this agreement to be signed with NEPCO is much larger, and corresponding to the size of this deal will be enormous repercussions at the political, economic and social levels.
Mr. Minio-Paluello stresses the following: “By signing the agreement, Jordan will be handing over to Israel the most dangerous energy-related weapon, namely, the capability to cut off electricity from Amman at the press of a button. In addition to Jordan subjecting its energy security to Israel, it is also contributing significantly to the Israeli budget, every year and for a period of fifteen years.”
The study provides details of all the numbers, including the ownerships of diverse companies for the gas extraction rights at Leviathan, and the various taxes received by Israel from the profits of petroleum and gas. The study presents accurate results based on the preliminary numbers announced by all stakeholders involved (i.e. the Jordanian government, the Israeli government, the Noble Energy Co. and others), and these results are backed by references. It will be translated in the Arabic language and published shortly, and is currently available in the English language and attached to this summary.
The Jordanian Coordination Committee against Importing Gas from Israel is composed of a number of groups that work against normalization and boycotting of Israel, and they are (in random order): the Jordanian Youth Movement, Jordan BDS, the Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (APN), Tami for Youth Development and Masar Taharuri. The committee is supported by popular organizations, civil society institutions, trade and labor unions and various professional associations. It has engaged in numerous actions against the importation of gas from the enemy.
The committee would like to point out to the positive support it has received from the Engineers Association and its anti-normalization committee, in addition to the Agricultural Engineers Association, by giving the committee an appropriate space to hold a press conference and adopting joint future activities that aim to stop this deal before it is signed and cancel said agreement in case it is signed. There is popular opposition against this deal for ethical and strategic reasons. Signing this deal means an unprecedented subordination to Israel and its aggressive colonial enterprise and an unrivalled form of normalization.
To Download the study click here
