CAIRO, March 29 (UPI) -- Subsidized natural gas exports from Egypt to Israel are helping the Israelis build settlements in contested areas, Egyptian lawmakers complained.
Egyptian lawmaker Mohammed al-Adli condemned the Egyptian government for exporting subsidized natural gas to Israel, saying the Israelis were using Egyptian gas to build housing settlements.
The lawmaker in a letter to the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum complained about a recent deal between East Mediterranean Gas and three Israeli companies for natural gas over the next 18 years, the Muslim Brotherhood's news portal Ikhwanweb reports.
Adli condemned what he said was a waste of natural resources in Egypt, adding Egyptian gas was used specifically by cement factories in Israel to build new settlements.
Members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood in early March declared a "Day of Rage" in protest of "desecration" of al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Israeli officials March 12 sealed off the West Bank and tightened security around the old city of Jerusalem in an attempt to head off any disturbances. Palestinian injuries were reported when Israeli police prevented worshipers from entering al-Aqsa for Friday prayers.
Clashes erupted in early March when Israeli officials announced plans to build new settlements in the West Bank.
