Israel Establishes Eastern Border Directorate to Strengthen Jordan Frontier

Israel's Defense Ministry announced today (Monday) that it has established the Eastern Border Directorate, which will oversee a plan to create about 40 new communities along Israel's eastern border with Jordan, stretching from Tzemach Junction in the north to the Eilot region in the south.

Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram presented the strategy for strengthening national security and Israel's strategic presence along the border. The head of the new directorate, Brig. Gen. (res.) Mordechai Benita, said the eastern frontier has been identified as a security weak point and that the plan includes developing transportation, energy, communications, industrial, and agricultural infrastructure to attract tens of thousands of new residents to the region.

According to the ministry, the new directorate will coordinate the efforts of all government ministries and agencies involved in strengthening Israel's eastern border, the country's longest land border.

As part of the directorate's launch, a forum of government directors-general was convened with senior representatives from government ministries, the defense establishment, the Israel Electric Corporation, the Water Authority, and other relevant bodies. During the meeting, officials presented the national plan for strengthening the region.

The Defense Ministry added that "alongside significant investments in defensive measures, the state's preparedness also depends on strengthening the civilian presence in the area." According to the ministry, the threat of infiltration or cross-border attacks from the east requires a broad, coordinated national effort involving all relevant branches of government.