EU to import Israeli gas via Egypt as alternative to Russia

Israel and the European Union will sign a natural gas export deal on Wednesday during a regional energy conference in Cairo, Israel's Energy Ministry said.

The EU said Israel could be a new source of gas as it looks to reduce its reliance on Russian energy.

The deal will for the first time allow "significant" exports of Israeli gas to Europe, the ministry said.

Officials have said they expect the Israeli gas will be sent to liquefaction plants in Egypt and then shipped north to the European market.

The framework deal will be signed by Israel, the EU and Egypt, according to the Israeli ministry. 

The new deal goes against international calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions on the Israeli government for their ongoing human rights abuses against Palestinians in occupied territories.