Skip to main content

Israel's new eastern front

The value of Israel's alliance with Jordan is far greater than that of a battalion of Israeli soldiers in the Jordan Valley, the demand for which is threatening to derail Kerry’s initiative.
Jordan's King Abdullah II (R) greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as leaders gathered to deliver a joint statement on Middle East Peace talks in the East Room of the White House in Washington September 1, 2010. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2HTER
Read in 

Two reports in the Sunday, Jan. 5, papers caught my eye. They were seemingly unrelated, but their combination is essential for understanding the central issue which has been troubling Secretary of State John Kerry on his 10th visit to the region. The solution for which he is aiming is also revealed in combining the two reports.

The first item, published in various media including the Israeli daily Maariv, quoted Meir Dagan, the former head of the Mossad. Speaking in the city of Kfar Saba, Dagan challenged the claim that the Jordan Valley is essential for Israel’s security, terming it a “manipulation” by politicians who abuse outlandish security arguments. According to Dagan, the Jordan Valley has lost its strategic importance, since “there’s no Iraqi army, there’s no eastern front. There’s peace with Jordan.”

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.