JERUSALEM, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of demonstrators, mostly environmental activists, protested Saturday in Israel against building of a natural gas drilling rig in the Mediterranean Sea, nine km away from the country's coast.
The demonstration took place near Dor Beach in northern Israel. The protesters set up a tent and barrels with paintings of pirates.
They claimed that the construction of the platform will cause environmental hazards such as pollution and health problems.
The rig is planned to be built in the "Leviathan" natural gas field by U.S. petroleum and natural gas company Noble Energy, in accordance with an agreement with Israeli government.
"Unfortunately, a handful of the project's opponents are conducting a campaign of diversion and intimidation. The program provides an appropriate response to environmental and safety issues," Noble Energy said.
The Israeli Ministry of Energy noted that "the development of the project is of national importance in strengthening the energy independence of Israel."
The Ministry of Environmental Protection added that the platform will supply natural gas to improve the quality of air in the entire country, as it will "replace and reduce the use of fuels with heavy pollution potential."
