TEL AVIV (Reuters) When Israeli economists contemplate their country's untapped natural
gas finds far out in the Mediterranean, they dream of energy independence and lucrative
export deals.
Those charged with Israel's defense, however, worry that the navy small and long a middling
priority in budgets may be hard put to protect the multinational drilling platforms and rigs out at sea.
"We will do our best, but without a major boost to our capabilities, our best will not be enough,"
a senior military planner said in one of a series of Reuters interviews with Israeli decision
makers on the subject.
That all spoke on condition of anonymity indicates concern that such doubts over security
might scare off investors and, perhaps, even encourage seaborne attacks by Hezbollah, the
Iranianbacked Lebanese guerrilla movement hostile to Israel and to its exploration of gas
fields also claimed by Beirut.
There are internal political considerations, too. With Middle East instability spiraling, Israel's
Finance Ministry is poring over an unwieldy plan for fiscal cuts combined with new spending
on national security. The navy is lobbying for cash but is loath to challenge Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu openly. Maps and other dry facts speak amply...continue reading