According to an official letter obtained by Israel Hayom, Israel's Airports Authority detailed the reasons behind its decision not to operate the Allenby Crossing throughout the day.
"Based solely on relevant considerations and in order to minimize harm to the population using the Allenby border terminal, the terminal's operating hours have been reduced," the Airports Authority wrote. "Currently, the terminal operates Sunday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and on Fridays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. The terminal is closed on Saturdays."
The primary reason for the reduced hours is the authority's difficulty in recruiting security personnel. "Since the outbreak of the 'Swords of Iron' war, the evolving security threats and the two severe attacks that occurred at the Allenby border terminal, in which five employees were killed by Jordanian terrorists, have required the Airports Authority to adjust the operation of the Allenby border terminal to the current security reality and to the staffing levels of security guards at the terminal," the letter states. It adds that staffing has been affected both by the mobilization of many guards for reserve duty and by challenges in recruiting new security personnel.
An investigation by Israel Hayom found that the Israel Police had ordered stricter security procedures for guards at the crossing. However, in an official response to the newspaper, the police denied this claim and referred inquiries to the Airports Authority.
The Allenby Bridge crossing serves as a transit point for people and goods between Judea and Samaria and Jordan, as well as between the Palestinian Authority and Jordan. Only Palestinian residents and tourists are permitted to cross at the terminal; Israeli citizens are not allowed to do so. The crossing is considered strategically important, as significant volumes of goods and Jordanian diplomats pass through it.
In 2024 and 2025, two terrorist attacks were carried out at the crossing, during which five Israeli citizens were killed, including three civilians and two Israel Defense Forces soldiers.
In a formal statement, the Airports Authority said it operates the Allenby Crossing "in accordance with the existing security reality. Over the past year, two severe terrorist attacks occurred at the crossing, in which five people were murdered. These events require the adoption of heightened security measures, which affect the method and configuration of the terminal's operation. In accordance with the instructions of the relevant security authority, the security standard at the terminal has changed substantially. The terminal's operating hours have been adjusted to meet security requirements. It should be emphasized that the process of recruiting and training security guards is complex and takes many months.
"The Airports Authority is working continuously to provide optimal and uninterrupted service to passengers within the established operating hours and in accordance with security considerations."
