Ben-Eliezer flies to Turkey to discuss utilities pipeline project

By EHUD ZION WALDOKS
National Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer hopped over to Turkey on Monday in a last-minute trip to discuss the MEDSTREAM utilities pipeline project. The ministry refused to elaborate on the purpose of the trip or why it was arranged suddenly last week. The pipeline project has heated up in recent months and both Ben-Eliezer and ministry director general Hezi Kugler have gone back and forth to discuss the project. The MEDSTREAM project would entail a series of pipes and cables which would bring oil, natural gas, electricity and fiber optics from Turkey to Israel. India has expressed interest in financing the project, perhaps as a way to tap into eastern European countries oil and gas reserves but bypassing Iran.