Red Sea coral reefs ‘under threat’ from Israel-UAE oil deal

Experts and activists warn that deal to bring Emirati crude to a pipeline in the Red Sea port of Eilat can cause leaks.

Israeli environmentalists are warning that a UAE-Israeli oil pipeline deal threatens unique Red Sea coral reefs and could lead to “the next ecological disaster”. The agreement to bring Emirati crude oil by tanker to a pipeline in the Red Sea port of Eilat was signed after the two nations normalised ties late last year and should come into force within months. With experts warning of possible leaks and spills at the ageing Eilat port, and the Israeli environmental protection ministry demanding “urgent” talks on the deal, activists mobilised last week.