Israel’s Defense Ministry has completed the establishment of the Eastern Region Directorate, a new body tasked with coordinating the efforts of government ministries and public agencies to strengthen security along Israel’s eastern border (with Jordan), the country’s longest land border and what officials say is Israel’s most vulnerable front.

The announcement was made during a forum of directors-general attended by senior officials from government ministries, the defense establishment, the Israel Electric Corporation, the Israel Water Authority, and other agencies, where the national plan to strengthen the region was presented.

Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram said the eastern border has emerged as a significant security vulnerability after years of receiving little national attention. He explained that alongside the construction of advanced defensive systems, a broad civilian initiative is needed that includes infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, agriculture, industry, and residential development.

The head of the Eastern Region Directorate, Brig. Gen. (res.) Mordechai Benita, presented the security settlement plan, under which approximately 40 new yishuvim are currently being established along the eastern border, from Tzemach Junction in the north to the Eilot region in the south. The communities will be populated, in part, by armed civilians as part of efforts to strengthen the region’s defensive capabilities.

According to Defense Ministry officials, the threat of an incursion or cross-border raid from the east requires a broad, coordinated response involving all branches of government along with efforts to encourage tens of thousands of Israelis to settle along the border.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)