In a recent meeting with the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu discussed the threat posed by terrorists based in Jordan, and mentioned that his government may build a fence in the Jordan Valley in order to keep infiltrators out. The government is currently building a fence on the Egyptian border, to help stem the flood of illegal entry from Sinai.
David Elhiani, head of the Jordan Valley Regional Council, told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew-language news service that he thinks a fence is an excellent idea – if it is built in the proper location.
“I hope the Prime Minister means to build a fence on the east side of the western Jordan Valley. A fence like that would give [us] true security, and it would also be a real diplomatic breakthrough,” Elhiani said.
The Palestinian Authority is hoping to seize control of the majority-Jewish region, he continued. “Putting up a fence to the west of the valley would make the valley an undeniable part of Israel proper,” he explained.
An initiative is currently taking place to bring students to the Jordan Valley, in hopes that they will remain in the region, Elhiani noted. The project was set up by MK Gila Gamliel (Likud). “It provides a social boost to towns here, but it also sets the stage for future absorption of new residents... Right now the plan includes transportation to the Ariel University Center, but it could grow to include more universities in the future,” he said.
Students who take part in the initiative will have their tuition subsidized and, in exchange, will do volunteer work in their communities.