Netanyahu Visits Jordan Border, Vows to Prevent Smuggling with Strong Barrier

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Jordan Valley today (Wednesday), three days after the deadly Allenby Crossing attack, pledging to reinforce Israel’s security along its eastern border with Jordan. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of maintaining this frontier as a "border of peace and security" while also committing to taking stronger action against weapons smuggling into Judea and Samaria.

During his visit, Netanyahu was accompanied by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has backed the allocation of funds in the 2025 state budget for constructing a barrier that will effectively curb illegal crossings and smuggling attempts. “We are committed to securing this border, and in coordination with Jordan, we will ensure that it remains a border of peace,” Netanyahu declared.

The Prime Minister met with combat soldiers from the Jordan Lions Battalion, Kfir Brigade, and other security units, as he reiterated Israel's dedication to tackling multi-front threats. "We're in a multi-front battle. Unfortunately, we lost two soldiers today in Rafah. We send heartfelt condolences to their families," Netanyahu said. He further added that the recent surge in smuggling attempts poses new challenges, with terrorists and weapons being smuggled from Jordan into Israeli cities.

Netanyahu's visit comes at a time when security concerns are escalating, particularly with Iran's growing influence in Jordan. Iranian forces, including the Quds Force, are suspected of involvement in the Alenby attack, where a Jordanian truck driver killed three Israelis. As King Abdullah juggles widespread anti-Israel protests with ongoing security cooperation with Israel, Netanyahu made clear that Israel remains focused on addressing the Iranian threat in the region.

The Strategic Importance of Jordan

Jordan is a key buffer zone for Israel, with its 308 km border offering a strategic line of defense. Iran's desire to gain influence in Jordan, along with its established footholds in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon via Hezbollah, poses a significant risk to Israel's security. Netanyahu highlighted this during his remarks, emphasizing the importance of the border's stability and calling attention to Iran's potential involvement in the Alenby attack.

Despite the political tension in Jordan, which includes members of parliament openly supporting the attacker, Israel remains committed to security cooperation with Jordan's forces, focusing on preventing Iranian-backed threats from destabilizing the region.

As part of this effort, Netanyahu confirmed that additional measures will be taken to bolster the Jordan border, ensuring it remains both a border of peace and robust defense against external threats.