An inter-ministerial team of directors-general toured the Jordan border on Tuesday, led by Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, acting Prime Minister's Office Director-General Drorit Steinmetz, and Settlement Affairs Ministry Director-General Avi Meir, the Defense Ministry said.
The visit aimed to advance a national plan to bolster security, economic activity, and Israel’s strategic presence in the east.
“The eastern region is Israel’s longest border,” Baram said, noting that wartime challenges “cannot rely solely on the security barrier now being advanced.”
He stressed building a “full ecosystem” of employment, transportation, water, agriculture, and health, and urged rapid action “to stay ahead of the processes developing from Iran and its proxies.”
The team was appointed by government decision to draft a five-year program to reinforce settlement, national security, and strategic control along the eastern frontier. Participants included the prime minister’s military secretary, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman and about 20 directors-general across key ministries.
The delegation reviewed gaps in security, settlement, infrastructure, communications, employment, health, agriculture, and transportation across the eastern region.
They met IDF Central Command leadership and heads of eastern regional councils to map priorities and timelines.
“In accordance with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu’s directive, strengthening the eastern region is a national and Zionist mission of the highest order,” Steinmetz said.
She framed the initiative as inter-ministerial “practical Zionism,” with each ministry contributing its domain expertise to deliver security and thriving communities along the strategic border.
“The eastern border plan is a strategic settlement project of the highest priority,” Meir said, adding that initial steps are already underway. He said the five-year decision would “reshape settlement along the eastern border,” coordinated with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Defense Ministry, and other ministries.
Barrier build-out and evolving threats
The tour follows the launch of an upgraded multi-layered security barrier project along the Jordan border and a government focus on countering smuggling and cross-border terror threats.
Recent incidents and policy moves underscore the urgency, including the Allenby Crossing attack and ongoing concerns about weapons and drug smuggling routes.
The directors-general said the plan will integrate security infrastructure with civilian growth to anchor communities and deter hostile activity. “With determination and hard work, we are advancing Zionism and making history,” Meir said.