File photo: Head of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate Diaa Rashwan.
Rashwan delivered his remarks during an interview on Al-Mashhad TV on Wednesday, when asked to comment on Netanyahu's remarks regarding the gas deal.
“If he wants to cancel it, then cancel it — if he can bear the consequences,” Rashwan said.
“To claim that Israel is Egypt’s only energy path is an illusion," he added.
On 7 August, Israeli company NewMed Energy signed a landmark agreement to export 130 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas to Egypt until 2040.
The deal, valued at around $35 billion, is the largest export deal in Israel’s history and the most significant since the discovery of its natural gas reserves.
During the interview, Rashwan highlighted the potential consequences of cancelling the deal, which benefits both countries, but more so Israel.
“Not just political, but economic consequences … It’s win-win economically for both sides — but more beneficial for Israel. Israel profits economically more,” he affirmed.
His remarks came after Israeli media reported Tuesday that Netanyahu and Energy Minister Eli Cohen are reconsidering the massive gas export deal between Israel’s Leviathan gas field partners and Egypt. According to Israel Hayom, Netanyahu ordered the review following allegations that Egypt had violated the military annexe of the peace treaty with Israel.
The alleged violations include building tunnels in Sinai capable of storing weapons, extending airport runways, and deploying infantry and armoured forces beyond the limits set by the treaty’s security annexe — without Israeli approval.
Moreover, Rashwan dismissed claims that Egypt depends on Israeli gas. “The Egyptian administration has alternatives and scenarios for what could happen. Egypt is not bound to a single source of energy,” he said. "The Israeli Prime Minister is delusional,” he continued.
He also questioned the timing of Netanyahu’s threat, arguing that it was not intended to create a real crisis in Egypt. “If he wanted to cause a domestic gas crisis, he would have done it in August — during peak summer heat, to cripple the state and create real problems,” Rashwan said.
“Netanyahu is not trying to create a crisis in Egypt. He wants to show that Egypt is under pressure, but that is not the reality,” he added.
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