Jordanian Opposition Party Threatens Legal Action Against Israeli Gas Deal

Jordan's main opposition Islamist party threatened Saturday to take legal action against anyone in the kingdom who signs a controversial gas deal with Israel, according to news agency Agence France Presse (AFP).

In September, Noble Energy  announced the execution of a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) to supply natural gas from the Leviathan field, offshore Israel, to the National Electric Power Company Ltd. (NEPCO) of Jordan.  Delivery of natural gas is expected to occur at a border location between Israel and Jordan, following the completion of related pipeline infrastructure.

According to AFP, The Islamic Action Front, political wing of the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, said on its website that it "strongly rejects the deal in question, no matter what the pretext, political or economic, and will prosecute all those who agree to or sign such an agreement."

The IAF said it regretted that the government "has stubbornly ignored the popular will to maintain suspect relations with the occupying power [Israel] and to conclude such an agreement."

Jordan is staring at rising energy bills due to stoppage of gas supplies from Egypt and has been forced to use more expensive heavy fuel and diesel for power generation. 

Egypt gas supplies have stopped completely since May because of sabotage attacks on the pipeline.