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Israel striking deal with Gazprom By Avi Bar-Eli Tags: gazprom, israel, russia Israel is negotiating a long-term deal to buy natural gas from Russia's Gazprom, National Infrastructures Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer told Kommersant Wednesday. The agreement, covering at least 20 years, is in the final stages of preparation, the minister said, adding that he hopes it can be signed in a matter of months. The deal would reduce Israel's dependence on Egypt as its all-but-sole source of natural gas. At the first stage, Israel would buy 4 billion cubic meters (BCM) of gas a year. When demand warrants, supply will increase to 10 BCM a year. Israel wouldn't only use the gas to fuel power plants, but also for industry, Ben-Eliezer says. Advertisement But how exactly the gas would be delivered remains to be seen, he admits. One possibility is an "infrastructures corridor" stretching from Turkey to Israel, or a branch of the pipeline Gazprom is planning to build in the Balkans. Gazprom also demands that it sell only to Israeli government companies, while the Finance Ministry is insisting that private customers have direct access as well. In Moscow yesterday, Ben-Eliezer met with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller to discuss the long-term agreement, and also commented on Iran while talking to reporters. "Israel is not planning any attack on Iran," Ben-Eliezer said, though he added that steps should be taken before it's too late. "If Tehran tries to attack Israel, Iran will be destroyed." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Kosher Idol A new Haredi reality show called 'The Upcoming Voice' makes 'American Idol' kosher. Chief Rabbi's savior New look at Nazi-era papers names mysterious rescuer of future Chief Rabbi.

Read & React Bradley Burston: Perhaps we killed Christ after all Responses: 239 Report: Israel prefers Hamas prisoners be released to Gaza, not West Bank Responses: 123 Hamas: Qassam fire harms Palestinian national interest Responses: 217 Israel and Hezbollah ready to sign on prisoner swap deal Responses: 110 Nadav Shragai: Without Golan referendum, we will face another Gaza Responses: 65 More Headlines 23:47 Hamas: Qassam fire is harming Palestinian interests 20:29 3,000 turn out for contentious Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem 23:41 Israel to keep Gaza crossings shut Friday, allow fuel transfer 22:45 Erekat: If Olmert, Abbas achieve peace, they'll be biggest people in Jerusalem since Jesus 15:36 Israeli Arab teaches Palestinians about the Holocaust 10:59 Israel and Hezbollah ready to sign on prisoner swap deal 21:02 New look at Nazi-era papers names mysterious rescuer of future Chief Rabbi 18:43 Ten hurt in massive blaze at luxury Eilat hotel 20:57 A new Haredi reality show makes 'American Idol' kosher 17:19 Report: Israel prefers Hamas prisoners be released to Gaza, not West Bank 14:56 Rightist hackers place Israeli flag, Kach images on pro-Palestinian Web sites 16:13 14 protesters hurt in West Bank anti-fence demonstration 10:49 French sources: Syria ready to 'reconsider' its ties with Iran 14:42 Police arrest man whose twin impersonated him to flee arrest Previous Editions Select Day 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun

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