Israel-EU Gas Pipeline Reemerges with U.S. Backing

A long-dormant vision for a gas pipeline linking Israel to Europe is back in serious consideration, Israeli Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen confirmed this week. Speaking after high-level meetings with counterparts from Greece, Cyprus, and the United States in Athens, Cohen said the geopolitical landscape has shifted in favor of reviving the strategic project.

“There has been very significant progress,” Cohen stated. “The Americans are now willing to take on a major role.”

The proposed pipeline would transport natural gas from Israel’s offshore Leviathan field through Cyprus and Greece, offering Europe an alternative to Russian energy and bypassing volatile shipping lanes threatened by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

While past discussions were shelved due to cost and technical constraints, renewed U.S. support especially under President Donald Trump’s national security-oriented energy doctrine has injected new momentum into the idea. According to Cohen, the project also aligns with the broader IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor) framework, promoted by both the Biden and Trump administrations.

“The goal is to build an infrastructure corridor that provides an alternative to the Russian energy route and bypasses the Houthis as well,” Cohen explained. “For the Europeans, the goal is, of course, to reduce prices.”

Cohen held talks with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Greek Energy Minister Theodoros Skylakakis, Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou, and U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a close Trump ally.

The renewed focus on this project comes as Israel recently refused to approve a $35 billion gas export deal to Egypt, citing national security and pricing concerns. Cohen confirmed that the Leviathan gas exports must reflect fair market value and emphasized the need for Egypt to fully uphold its peace treaty obligations, particularly amid concerns about military activity in the Sinai Peninsula.

“After the Egyptians understood our determination, they are very eager to resolve the issue,” Cohen said. “I believe a solution will be found.”

Noticeably absent from the discussions was Turkey, whose president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has long sought a role in any Mediterranean gas pipeline plans. But Israel, Greece, and Cyprus remain firmly opposed to Turkish involvement due to deep regional tensions.

Cohen also framed the pipeline as part of a post-war diplomatic strategy. “The war in Gaza is over, and the goal now is to expand the Abraham Accords,” he said, linking energy diplomacy to broader regional normalization efforts.

If successful, the Israel-Europe pipeline could transform the Eastern Mediterranean into a vital energy corridor, enhancing Israeli influence, improving European energy security, and strengthening strategic alliances between Israel, its neighbors, and the West.

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