Israel city within range of Gaza rockets emerging as regional energy hub
TEL AVIV — Israel has sought to become a global energy center at a time of
Palestinian missile strikes from the Gaza Strip.
The Ashkelon-Eilat Pipeline Co., threatened by Palestinian gunners from
the nearby Gaza Strip, has launched an effort to transport crude oil from
Turkey to Asia.
Under the proposal, expected to be signed by April 2008, oil
from Central Asia would reach Turkey by pipeline and then shipped to
Ashkelon. From Ashkelon, the oil would be transported by pipe to Eilat and
shipped by tanker to East Asia, Middle East Newsline reporte.
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The company, owned partly by the Israeli government, has been targeted
by Palestinian gunners, who have fired missiles into Ashkelon's industrial
zone. A company spokeswoman said the missile threat was being examined, but
would not elaborate.
Ashkelon-Eilat chairman Oren Shahor told the Haaretz daily that the
project would make Israel an energy hub for Asia and Europe. Shahor was
expected to detail his company's proposal later this week.
