Israeli PM plays down gas dispute with Egypt

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the cutoff was the result of a business dispute between Israeli and Egyptian companies. He said he did not see the dispute as being political distancing himself from other officials who have expressed concerns that it was a sign of crumbling Egyptian-Israeli relations.Egypts natural gas company said it was cutting off shipments Sunday because its Israeli partner hasnt paid its bills.Israeli officials say the payments were halted because repeated attacks by militants on the gas pipeline have all but cut off gas shipments for the past year.