Amid recent infiltration incidents from the Jordanian border and following months of preparation by the Defense Ministry, Settlement and National Missions Ministry, and with the support of the Finance Ministry, the Cabinet has now approved a five-year plan to close breaches along the border – from fence construction and reinforcement of IDF forces to settling the entire border line from Zemach to Eilat.
The plan, initiated by Ministers Israel Katz, Orit Strock, and Bezalel Smotrich, which has remained under the radar until now, is designed to address the growing threat of infiltrations and weapons smuggling from the eastern border while combining military and settlement approaches as a comprehensive response to all security challenges. The plan was first discussed at the Israel Hayom Security Conference, in partnership with the HaShomer HaChadash organization.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, during a tour of the eastern border, said that the security fence construction he has led on the Israel-Jordan border is a critical strategic step against Iranian attempts to turn the eastern border into another terror front. "I see a direct connection between thwarting terror infrastructure in refugee camps in Judea and Samaria and building this fence. This is a strategic move that will strengthen national security and our hold in the Jordan Valley, ensuring Israel's sovereignty for years to come – and will be a blow to Iran's attempts to turn the eastern border into a terror front," Katz said.
The plan is divided into two parts – a five-year comprehensive section preceded by a pilot program to be completed by the end of this year. The pilot will initiate the establishment of Nahal settlement outposts, pre-military academies, service year programs, Tzabar groups, Ofek programs, hesder yeshivas, and higher yeshivas for the ultra-Orthodox community.
Settlement and National Missions Minister Orit Strock will oversee the civilian component, with her ministry coordinating the allocation of academies, yeshivas, service frameworks, and settlement groups to create a continuous settlement presence along the border. This will work alongside the establishment of agricultural farms similar to initiatives in Judea and Samaria through grazing permits, each managing an average of about 4,000 dunams (988 acres) of grazing areas and cultivation fields in settlement regions and border areas. The ministry will also establish student villages using portable structures alongside these farms and academies.
Among the innovative aspects of the plan, ultra-Orthodox yeshivas combining religious studies with border protection will be established in a new model. As part of this ambitious initiative designed to address decades of gaps in Israel's approach to its porous eastern border, existing border communities will be reinforced through "interim housing" intended for new residents who participate in local rapid response teams and their families.
The interim housing and land will be made available to families for a transition period until permanent settlement. This program will prioritize families of reserve soldiers. In parallel, the defense minister will direct the IDF to examine the possibility of reestablishing Nahal outposts.
A special ministerial team will lead implementation and oversight of the decision, headed by the prime minister alongside the defense minister, finance minister, settlement and national missions minister, diaspora minister, interior minister, and agriculture and food security minister. They will be supported by a professional team of relevant ministry directors-general.
Settlement and National Missions Minister Orit Strock said, "The understanding that where there is settlement there is security, and vice versa, is one of the main lessons of the October 7 massacre. Therefore, the sobering reality regarding the need to strengthen Israel's eastern border must be practically expressed through settlement reinforcement, both demographically and geographically."
"Settlements, academies, and agricultural farms – all these will be part of our eastern security backbone. I am pleased that this joint initiative, mine and the defense minister's, is moving forward. I thank him for the excellent cooperation, along with the finance minister and the prime minister's military secretary. Together we will make every effort for implementation to be quick and efficient, bringing blessing to the region and the entire State of Israel."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, "The decision approved by the Cabinet to strengthen Israel's eastern border is a historic decision and a first-rate Zionist mission. I am proud to be among the leaders of this initiative and to fund it already in the coming year with 50 million shekels ($14.1 million). This is a strategic step to strengthen sovereignty, security, and our hold in the Land of Israel. The eastern border is Israel's longest border, and today's Cabinet decision is a welcomed historic conceptual change that will tighten border security and strengthen Zionism, agriculture, and the entire State of Israel."
During Monday's discussion, the funding was increased to 80 million shekels ($22.56 million) to be transferred to the Settlement and National Missions Ministry.
