We found out a while ago that plumbing pipes aren’t the best way to ground a house for a variety of reasons, and this is why ufers (grounding to foundation steel) and ground rods are now the NEC standard. Also, this is why bonding wires are important as well. If the plumbing were bonded to a proper dwelling ground system, the current would find a direct path to ground and trip the responsible breaker, instead of using the gas lines as a big ass resistor and creating the light show we see here.
US officials know Israel is full of shit, but if they stand up for what’s right, they’ll piss off the AIPAC, and will almost certainly be ousted the following election cycle. The AIPAC is easily one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the US, and have no problem slushing a candidate with cash to oppose one who even thinks of criticizing Israel.