Response to Gulf Blockades: Israel's International Project Bypassing the Strait of Hormuz
According to the Ministry of Energy, the project will provide a response to global energy supply disruptions caused by the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Minister Eli Cohen stated: "The corridor will create a new trade route for the benefit of the international economy, bring billions into the state treasury, and create jobs."
Israel and Greece are working to promote the international infrastructure corridor IMEC, intended to connect the East, the Gulf states, and Israel on the way to Europe, with the goal of creating a route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
As part of the initiative, promoted under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Energy Eli Cohen, Minister Cohen spoke with his Greek counterpart, Stavros Papastavrou. The two agreed on steps to advance the project as quickly as possible and emphasized the importance of the corridor passing through a route that ensures regional stability.
In the Ministry of Energy, officials note that recent events in the maritime arena and disruptions in global energy supplies—caused by Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi attacks in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—highlight the importance of promoting this infrastructure corridor. A land crossing between the Gulf states and Israel allows for the establishment of rapid infrastructure toward Europe, which will eliminate dependence on maritime straits.
In addition to the strategic and security implications, the Ministry of Energy estimates that the planned route will be faster and cheaper than existing trade routes, will contribute to the global economy, will bring billions of shekels into the state treasury, and will lead to increased investment in infrastructure and the creation of new jobs.
"The infrastructure corridor that will reach from the Gulf states to Europe via Israel and Greece will neutralize the Iranian threat via the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthi threat via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The corridor will create a new trade route for the benefit of the international economy, which will strengthen the Israeli economy and Israel's status, will bring billions into the state treasury, will create jobs, and will increase investment in infrastructure," stated Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen.
