Bennett has reservations about Lebanon deal: It's different from what I knew

• Published date: 04 October 2022
• Publication title: Israel National News (Israel)

Bennett said during talks he held that the agreement in question is different from what he knew and what was presented to the cabinet. Lebanon, he argued, is getting everything it wants in the agreement

Channel 13 News reported that Bennett held several discussions on Monday in which he examined the agreement on a security and political level, and he is expected to formulate a clearer position before the discussion in the cabinet on the agreement. Bennett believes that it is very important to settle the matter and allow continuous activity of gas production. He has not yet decided whether to exercise his right to veto the agreement, although it is not certain that it is at all relevant, because of the ongoing legal proceedings against the agreement.

The political-security cabinet is scheduled to convene to discuss the maritime border agreement with Lebanon immediately after Yom Kippur. While Israel has made it clear that the agreement is acceptable, Lebanon still has several objections. In the meantime, the criticism of the passing of such a significant political agreement during an election period and a transitional government, is expanding beyond the opposition.

Senior political officials told Channel 13 News on Monday that the issue in the principle outline, according to which Israel would give up ownership of the Qana gas reservoir, but would receive royalties from the company that would produce the gas there - was known to Bennett. These officials wondered why Bennett changed his position. At the same time, financial simulations were made in Israel that will be presented to the cabinet in the upcoming discussion, confirming that Israel will indeed receive money.

Following the public skirmishes recorded on Sunday between Prime Minister Yair Lapid and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the emerging agreement on the maritime border with Lebanon, the...