US Ambassador to Israel: Leave Chevron and Netflix alone

At the end of a few difficult days on the diplomatic front, as Israel was forced to deal with the suspension of the free trade agreement by the United Kingdom and the report (which was rejected) that President Donald Trump threatened to abandon Israel, if the war did not end, the Minister of Residence Paisalel Smootrich and the leadership of the country have attended the United States’ Aden Competition. During this event in Jerusalem, the new ambassador, who has been constantly holding Israeli positions for decades, handed over warm notes and adopted on Israel that exceeded standard diplomatic compliments.

However, “Globes” has learned that in closed meetings, Huckabe transferred messages from Washington to the government on a number of economic issues that disturb the American administration and pressure it to consider its treatment. This is in addition to the commercial barriers that the administration has already mentioned as part of the Trump tariff plan.

Opposition measures in the United States

Last week, SMOTRICH and Small Economists at the Ministry of Finance, Shmuel Abramzon, met with Hackabi and his professional team to discuss economic issues on the agenda. The Americans expressed his dissatisfaction with the opinion of the Ministry of Finance that the American energy giant of Chevron should be removed from Tamar, the Levithan gas field and could not continue to work.

The position of the Ministry of Finance, which was recently supported by the Ministry of Environment, stems from the demand for increasing competition in the Israeli gas market and reducing dependency on monopolies. Those who defend the expulsion of Chevron argue that the company bears a share of the local gas market, which may lead to high costs of consumers and exposing the economy to the risks.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, on the other hand, is firmly opposed, claiming that forcing Chevron to draw Israel in a negative light in the eyes of international investors and made it difficult to develop a gas economy and find new fields. There is also a dispute between ministries over the reserves that must be booked for home use. The Ministry of Energy proposes 440 BCM, while the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Environmental Protection want a greater amount for 25 years.

Another issue raised by Hakapi, the meaning of the Minister of Communications, Shlomo Carey, to reform the broadcast, which was approved by the Ministerial Committee for legislation despite the opposition of the public prosecutor. American anxiety focuses mainly on the item that extends to investing in the Israeli original production of international broadcasting services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus.

According to the reform, foreign broadcast giants will be asked to invest part of their revenues in Israel in local production. While the Israeli TV channels are required to invest a percentage of their revenues in the original products, American broadcasting services have so far enjoy exemption. Americans view the new condition as imposing an additional financial burden on American companies and harming fair competition.

According to the sources at the meeting, Huckabe repeated several times that “fair play” must be guaranteed to American companies operating in Israel, and that “there is a level stadium.” He explained that the United States does not have any intention to harm Israeli companies, but it has made it clear that the legislation or steps that would harm the American economy are unacceptable. Smotrich agreed and told the ambassador that the policy of clean play will be suitable for both countries. However, the parties have not formed any decisions on the requests made by Huckabe.

Also on the agenda: the issue of definitions on Israel

Regarding the issue of definitions, Hakapi said he was interested in helping Israel and will try to speed up the talks. However, Huckabe himself does not participate directly in this. After last week, Smotrich and Huckabe met again last Sunday, for a political discussion in the Prime Minister’s office.

How important is the damage to Israel if it was included in the Trump identification plan? This will be a major impact on the Israeli economy more than the local abolition of definitions on American goods. In 2024, Israeli goods exports to the United States amounted to $ 17.3 billion, while services exports, especially in the technology industry, are estimated at $ 16.7 billion. A 20 % tariff for goods alone, services are generally not subject to tariffs, to billions of dollars annually.

“The United States benefits from the power of the Israeli economy”

In this event in Jerusalem, Huckabe insisted that the Big us need a little Israel – not just the opposite. After reviewing the country’s economic and technological achievements, Hakapi said: “I hope America always understands that it is not only your help, as Americans believe, but you help us. This is a partnership. You are not only the beneficiaries. We are at the recipient also.

Words are designed for Israeli ears. He was addressing senior officials in the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Israel, and the chief executive managers of bankers, investors and investors. Huckabe did not explicitly address the elephant in the Chamber – what would be the fate of Israel in the customs tariff plan. However, Huckabe’s amazing words can also be explained about Israel in another way. Many in America believe that the relationship between countries is unilateral and that Israel is the only beneficiary, especially at the economic level.

The sub -text is that Israel must show that it is not only assisted, but it also helps Americans, and the way to do this is through new demands regarding Chevron and broadcasting companies.

It was published by Globes, Israel Business News – En.globes.co.il – on May 22, 2025.

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