Israel’s dogmatic transformation of its economic geostrategy
After more than 40 years trying to identify whether if Israel had any natural resource in its territory, the frustrations of the Jewish state reached its boiling point in 2010 with the discovery of the Leviathan natural gas field on the Mediterranean Sea coast. Israel, which had previously discovered natural gas in 2009 in its Mediterranean waters, is now being placed in a position of privilege and strength in economic terms. This site, which was discovered by a Russian natural gas exploration company, is undoubtedly one of the largest deposits in the world. That finding has led Israel to have signed a $3 trillion dollars contract with this company to also carry out the exploitation of this deposit. Thanks to this finding, Israel will receive more than 60% of the earnings from the sale of natural gas and it is estimated that by 2017 the country will supply its own energy consumption by 50%. In addition, Israel has already begun exporting natural gas to Egypt and Jordan (with whom in 2015 it signed a $10 trillion dollar agreement to export natural gas to the Hashemite Kingdom).
But not only is Israel estimated to have 3 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, it is also estimated that Israel has 6 billion barrels of oil in the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, the most promising of this is that only 7% of Israel’s waters have been studied, suggesting that probably the amount of black gold mentioned above might be higher. With respect to its oil, Israel leaves in the past Golda Meir’s negativism by showing that even (though its oil in the Mediterranean Sea has to be obtained mostly through fracking, because its exploitation is more expensive) the Golan Heights could also be a potential oil treasure as result of the shallow depth in which oil has been found. In a contextual way, this scenario joins the prominent panorama that shows the incursion of the Chinese construction market (with the creation of a port in Ashkelon) and the arrival of the Greek, Russian and Indian military market into the country’s economic development process. This marvelous framework of opportunities that Israel is currently experiencing is key in order to make the country converge on economic and diplomatic matters with its Arab neighbors. Or at least push them in that direction. In the face of the recent expressions of U.S. President, Donald Trump, in favor of Israel’s military and mere right to exist, there is no doubt that Israel will once again have an unconditional ally in the international community, but also an ally at the economic and military level.
A partner who is open to seek peace in anyway. Either through a two-state solution or a one-state solution through the annexation of aa Judea and Samaria or just area C. The reality dictated by President Trump demonstrates that he is committed with the peace process, but also shows that this issue is a very complicated one that I consider Israel will now have an advantage not because of its new honeymoon with the United States, but because of its natural resources. This new market will make peace closer than ever. Let me explain you. Today, Palestinians depend on 65% and 73% of Israeli electricity and water, respectively. Threatening Palestinians-and their Arab allies- with losing those services, to make them sit down to negotiate directly, is doubtfully key. Yes, some will appeal to feelings and denounce the “cruelty of the Zionist entity.” However, the advantage that Israel is acquiring thanks to its natural resources must be used as a vital weapon for the survival of its struggle to achieve peace.
On the other hand, if the United States moves its embassy to Jerusalem, and the Palestinian Authority (PA) decides to stop recognizing the Jewish state (as they have previously said they will do; Jordan supports this move) threatening Jordan with paralyzing the provision of 7% of its drinking water and freezing the gas agreement should be an idea to consider fully. Only then will Israel be able to solidify, now and forever, its power and its right to exist in Eretz Israel. And yes, along with its Arab neighbors from a position of strength and clout.