{
  "id": 16081422,
  "title": "WATCH; Netanyahu visits Leviathan gas platform as Israel projects NIS 350 billion in energy revenue",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/watch-netanyahu-visits-leviathan-gas-platform-as-israel-projects-nis",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-22T18:02:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-912599"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured the Leviathan natural gas platform on Thursday, alongside Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen. The visit underscored natural gas' crucial role as a strategic national asset and significant revenue generator for the Israeli state, according to the Prime Minister's Office.\n\nSince commencing operations in December 2019, Leviathan has contributed NIS 32 billion in revenue to the government coffers. The cumulative revenue from Israel's natural gas and oil sector is forecast to surpass NIS 350 billion, the PMO announced.\n\nA major share of the sector's projected earnings stems from export agreements, particularly with Egypt. In December 2025, Israel inked a natural gas export deal with Egypt valued at roughly NIS 112 billion, underscoring the resource's economic and diplomatic implications. This agreement is expected to yield about NIS 58 billion in revenue for the Israeli treasury.\n\nThe PMO emphasized that domestic natural gas production has kept household energy costs down, saving Israeli families thousands of shekels annually. Energy prices in Israel remain more than 20% lower than those in the European Union and other Western nations.\n\nIsrael is actively seeking additional natural gas reserves and expanding its energy infrastructure to accommodate rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers. During Thursday's visit, Netanyahu and Cohen received a security briefing from the commander of the Israeli Navy's Haifa base, discussing measures to safeguard the offshore platform.\n\nThe Leviathan gas field temporarily halted operations for over 30 days following the commencement of Operation Roaring Lion against Iran on February 28, due to concerns about potential threats to the platform. Production resumed early in April.",
  "summary": "During a visit to the Leviathan gas platform, Netanyahu touted natural gas as a strategic national asset, highlighting billions in state revenue, savings for Israeli families, and diplomatic benefits.",
  "key_points": [
    "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured Leviathan gas platform on Thursday.",
    "Leviathan contributed NIS 32 billion in revenue since December 2019.",
    "Export deal with Egypt valued at NIS 112 billion expected in 2025."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}