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Netanyahu stresses need for Israel to retain military presence in Jordan Valley

[ssba]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday visited Israeli forces stationed in the Jordan Valley. The prime minister focused on the current turmoil in the Arab world in his speech. He said that the ‘political and security earthquake’ currently under way reinforced the need for Israel to maintain ‘solid security foundations’. In this regard, Netanyahu reiterated his position that Israel retain a military presence in the Jordan Valley, which would constitute the eastern border of a Palestinian state, even after the conclusion of a peace deal. Netanyahu referred to the Jordan Valley as Israel’s ‘security border.’

Netanyahu’s words reflect Israeli concerns at the potential vulnerability of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in this current period of regional instability. Israeli strategists are watching developments in Iraq carefully, as US forces draw down their presence in that country. In the event of the emergence of a radical regime in Iraq following the US departure, a weakened Jordan might find itself forced to accommodate the demands of such a regime. In such a scenario, many Israeli planners consider, an Israeli military presence along the Jordan River would be vital for Israel to maintain its security interests. It is important to note, however, that Netanyahu added that the nature of Israeli presence ought to be determined in negotiations, leaving the possibility, for example, that Israeli troops join an international force stationed in the Jordan Valley.