Abramoff pushed plan to drill for oil in Israel

Abramoff pushed plan to drill for oil in Israel
Established firm with two Russians
By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff | March 1, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Lobbyist Jack Abramoff worked with Russian partners to establish a company that envisioned a high-risk plan to drill for oil in Israel, which he hoped would bring him riches and reshape the Middle East, according to documents and his former lobbying partners.

The oil drilling plan, which has not been reported among Abramoff's many other schemes, casts new light on the scope of the disgraced lobbyist's dealings and the possible reach of the federal investigation into links between his clients, business partners, and members of Congress.

Documents reviewed by the Globe show that in November 2001 Abramoff sought a banker's letter vouching that his newly created company, First Gate Resources, could undertake a $5 million project. The letter was addressed to the then-Israeli oil commissioner.

A former Abramoff lobbying partner, Ronald Platt, said in an interview that he was shown a brochure about First Gate that listed the company officers as Abramoff and two Russian energy company executives of a Moscow firm called Naftasib.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/03/01/abramoff_pushed_plan_to_drill_for_oil_in_israel/

They all make me absolutely sick.

What's wrong with drilling for oil in Israel?