Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel s environment reporter.
An undated photo of Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz (R) and Egyptian Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla speaking during a meeting of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, in Cairo, Egypt. (courtesy, Israeli Energy Ministry)
Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel on Sunday threw a monkey wrench into the plans of Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz and his Egyptian counterpart to create an Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum to advance regional interests in natural gas.
By expressing her reservations to the formal ratification of a September signing of statutes by the two nations, along with Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and the Palestinian Authority, Gamliel ensured that the issue is brought before the cabinet for a full debate and decision.