The Times-Picayune - Sen. Landrieu Visits Israel and Promotes Gulf-Israeli Partnerships on Natural Gas

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By Bruce Alpert

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., was in Israel on Monday to meet with Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss a joint Israeli-U.S. military exercise, according to Landrieu spokeswoman Erin Donar.

On Sunday, Landrieu joined officials with some Gulf oil and gas companies for a meeting with Israel officials about a recent Mediterranean natural gas discovery.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Landrieu described the discovery as a "game-changer" for Israel and suggested the Israelis form partnerships with Gulf of Mexico businesses that can provide the needed expertise to develop the natural gas.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Landrieu emphasized the importance of the natural gas find for Israel.

"This is my second trip to Israel in less than year on this very topic -- oil and gas exploration," Landrieu said. "This is a game-changer for this nation to secure itself in a much more comprehensive way with the energy resources that it will need in the very difficult neighborhood that it finds itself."

During the U.S. presidential campaign Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney have promoted increased use of natural gas.

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