Netanyahu promises stronger Jordan barrier, vows to keep frontier a ‘border of peace’

Overlooking the Jordan Valley, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stresses the joint effort with Amman to secure their shared border.

“In this multi-theater struggle,” he says, “we know that we need to secure our eastern border with Jordan. This is a border of peace. We are partnering with the Kingdom of Jordan to ensure that it remains so.”

Challenges are increasing, says Netanyahu, days after a terrorist attack at the Allenby Border Crossing left three Israelis dead: “There is an attempt to smuggle both terrorists and weapons across Jordan into Judea and Samaria and into the cities of Israel. We are working here in cooperation with all parties to stop this.”

Netanyahu says Israel will build a stronger border barrier to fight smuggling.

“We will do it in coordination with the neighbors,” he promises. “It is important for us to ensure that this border remains a border of peace — peace and security.”

Jordan has been a leading critic of Israel’s war in Gaza, and more recently, of visits by government ministers to the Temple Mount. It has recalled its ambassador, but has continued close security cooperation, including during the April 13-14 drone and missile attack on Israel by Iran.

Netanyahu is accompanied by the IDF’s Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, head of the IDF Central Command. Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, and Col. Aviv Amir, commander of the Jordan Valley Brigade.