Netanyahu to Visit Leviathan Gas Rig Ahead of October Elections
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit the Leviathan gas rig as part of his 2026 election campaign, highlighting his past economic reforms and the contested gas framework.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the Leviathan gas rig tomorrow, Tuesday, as part of his ongoing campaign for the upcoming 26th Knesset elections scheduled for October 27, 2026. This marks his first visit to the platform since its official inauguration in December 2019, which he attended alongside the then-Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz. The unannounced visit will be accompanied by heavy security measures.
The Strategic Importance of Leviathan
Discovered in December 2010, the Leviathan field is Israel's largest natural gas reservoir, with a significant portion of its output directed toward export markets. The consortium operating the field currently comprises NewMed Energy—controlled by Yitzhak Tshuva's Delek Group—holding approximately 45%, the American operator Chevron with 40%, and Ratio Energies with the remaining 15%.
Economic Legacy and the Gas Framework
The development of Israel's offshore gas reserves, governed by the contentious "Gas Framework," was spearheaded by Netanyahu and Yuval Steinitz. While the framework initially triggered widespread public protests and accusations of economic favoritism, it ultimately facilitated the rapid commercialization of the fields. Supporters credit the policy with generating substantial state revenues and keeping domestic electricity prices lower than the global average, though critics point out that no comparable mega-fields have been discovered since.
The gas framework brought billions in savings to Israeli citizens on electricity prices and generated massive state revenues, despite early opposition.
Campaign Context and Political Stakes
With Likud experiencing a dip in recent television polls ahead of the October vote, Netanyahu has increasingly turned his focus to economic achievements. In a recent campaign video targeting economic challenger Yaron Zelecha, the prime minister defended his record on market reforms and energy policy.
