The Knesset Finance Committee approved, Monday morning, the lowering of the excise tax on diesel fuel used for generating electricity, in an effort to moderate electric prices for consumers. Diesel is one of the relatively expensive alternatives the Israel Electric Company has been forced to use when terrorists have interrupted the flow ofEgyptian natural gas.
While approving thediscountonthe excise tax, committee members arguedthat "The Egyptian gas isjust an excuse.The source of significant increase in electricity prices is in the hugedeficitofthe electric company."