Jordan finds Israel to be a reliable supplier of natural gas

Jordan finds Israel to be a reliable supplier of natural gas 

GeoStrategy direct w/e 16-Apr-14

Jordan has concluded that Israel would be a reliable energy supplier, a report said. 

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy asserted that Jordan would increasingly rely on Israel for natural gas. In a report, the institute cited a contract signed in February 2014 between two Jordanian companies for the import of Israeli gas from the eastern Mediterranean. 

"Against this backdrop, Jordan's unprecedented gas deal suggests that King Abdullah appreciates the potential benefits of closer energy cooperation with Israel, deeming it a reliable partner to offset dependence on uncertain promises from Arab neighbors," the report, titled "Jordan's Energy Balancing Act," said. 

"The deal is also in line with the growing strategic links between the two countries, including Israel's provision of significant water supplies to the kingdom." 

Authors David Schenker and Simon Henderson said Abdullah has sought to play down Israeli gas deals to avoid a backlash by the Islamic opposition. They urged the United States to encourage Jordanian imports as a means to ease pressure on the Hashemite kingdom to develop a nuclear energy infrastructure that could include uranium enrichment.