A PYMNTS Company

Israel: Netanyahu bypasses antitrust authority to adopt gas deal

By  |  December 17, 2015

After a long legislative fight with the Knesset’s opposition members and some in his own governing coalition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chose Thursday to use his legal prerogative to adopt a new regulatory framework for Israel’s burgeoning natural gas industry.

Netanyahu used the powers vested in him under Article 52 of the Antitrust Law, which allows the prime minister to bypass the Israel Antitrust Authority when there are overarching national security and foreign policy considerations. A former Israeli antitrust commissioner, David Gilo, had opposed the gas deal.

“We must hit the gas pedal,” Netanyahu said Thursday at a special signing ceremony. “We want to pump gas into Israel, into the economy, for the benefit of Israelis. This is a gift from God and it will turn us into an energy powerhouse.”

Full content: Haaretz

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.