U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides visited the Allenby Border Crossing on the Israeli-Jordanian border Sunday to witness the crossing functioning 24 hours a day, five days a week.
This service enhancement was a commitment made by the Israeli government when U.S. President Joe Biden visited the region last summer.
Ambassador Nides was accompanied by USAID Mission Director Amy Tohill-Stull and other officials from U.S. Embassy Jerusalem and the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs. On the Israeli side, he was accompanied by Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Ghassan Alyan; Hagai Zamir, deputy director general of the Israeli Airports Authority (IAA); and the director of the border crossing, Alex Chen.
“I am pleased to announce that starting tonight, this bridge is open 24/5 as promised,” said U.S. Ambassador Nides. I want to thank my friends at COGAT, for their leadership and determination to make this happen, and my friends at the Israeli Airports Authority which runs the bridge.” Nides thanked the Israeli Government, and noted the roles of the National Security Advisor, the transportation minister, and the interior minister – “all together they made this what it needs to be, which is allowing for the Palestinians and Jordanians to use this bridge 24 hours a day, five days a week. Trade and freedom of movement are the keys to peace.”