Israeli Court Sets Date for Leviathan Hearing

The Jerusalem district court rejected December 18 the Israeli government's request to cancel the interim injunction against the start of the Leviathan rig operation. The court will return and discuss the application December 22.

In a two-hour hearing, representatives of government ministries and the Leviathan project said that claims by residents of the area, who submitted the application for a restraining order, are unfounded.

Stopping work for three days would cost NIS 60 ($17) mn, the company said; while the environment ministry spokesman argued that delaying the export of gas to Jordan, which should begin in early January, could cause difficulties between the two countries.

A deputy general manager at the ministry said that an extreme scenario in which all residents will be evacuated because of poisonous emission is between "slim to impossible."

However following a debate between the two sides the judge concluded that "there is no doubt that the process involves low low risk," and set up another hearing.