Alerts

Why Israel Opposes International Forces in the Jordan Valley

A critical issue in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations is the future of the Jordan Valley. Watch this video to learn why Israel cannot withdraw from the area and rely on international forces.


“We don’t want to see rockets and missiles streaming into a Palestinian state and placed on the hills above Tel Aviv and the hills encircling Jerusalem. If Israel does not maintain a credible military and security presence in the Jordan Valley for the foreseeable future, this is exactly what could happen again.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Source: Speech at JFNA GA, Nov. 8, 2010

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions about International Forces

Why International Peacekeepers Cannot Replace the IDF
Amb. Dore Gold


Kerry and the Struggle Over the Jordan Valley

Amb. Dore Gold


No Reliance on Foreign Forces
Minister Yuval Steinitz


The Risks of Foreign Peacekeeping Forces in the West Bank
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror


Who Will Keep the Peace?
Avinoam Sharon, Michelle Morrison and
Justus Reid Weiner


The Failure of UN Forces in Srebrenica
Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld


"Looking around to the Middle
East, there is one democracy, stabilized, which is able to defend itself, by itself. No
need to deploy either American troops or others in order to defend Israel."

Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon

Source: Speech to Washington Institute, June 14, 2013


“We cannot count on a foreign force to do the work along the border with Jordan.”

Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, head of IDF Central Command

Source: Interview in YNet, September 18, 2013


International Forces: Ineffective and Unreliable
Should Israel withdraw its military from the Jordan Valley and rely on international forces for its security? Some politicians and diplomats around the world say yes. But 70 percent of Israelis say no.


Who’s right? Are international forces reliable? Let’s take a look at some examples.


Egypt


After the Suez Crisis in 1956, the United Nations Emergency Force deployed in the Sinai Peninsula in order to serve as a buffer between Israel and Egypt. But in 1967, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser demanded that the U.N. forces leave – which they did immediately. Nasser then threatened Israel with annihilation. The Six-Day War followed soon after.


Lebanon


In 1978, terrorist groups in southern Lebanon carried out multiple attacks on Israel. In response, the IDF entered Lebanon in order to destroy the terrorists’ strongholds. The United Nations intervened by establishing the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon, or UNIFIL. Its mission was to ensure Israeli withdrawal and to help the Lebanese government control southern Lebanon. The IDF withdrew, but UNIFIL failed to stop the terrorist attacks against Israel. This was the reality that led to the First Lebanon War in 1982.


Later that year, a multinational Western force consisting of American, British, French, and Italian troops came to Beirut. In 1983, this force was targeted in two massive Hizbullah bombings on its barracks. 241 American and 58 French troops were killed. The multinational forces all went home within six months.


Fast forward to 2006 when U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 ended the 34-day Israel-Hizbullah war. The resolution called for the disarmament of Hizbullah. Since then, UNIFIL in Lebanon has watched Hizbullah rearm. The terrorist army now has more rockets than it did before the start of the war in 2006.


Gaza


In 2005, European monitors were stationed in Rafah on the Gaza-Egypt border in order to prevent weapons smuggling. But when fighting between Hamas and Fatah intensified in 2006, the EU servicemen fled their positions — and ran to Israel for safety. As a result, weapons flowed into Gaza, and Israeli civilians were subjected to constant rocket fire in the years that followed.


Syria


Since the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War, the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, has served in the Golan Heights in order to separate the Israeli and Syrian armies and to maintain the ceasefire between them. But with the region becoming increasingly unsafe as a result of the Syrian civil war, many countries have removed their contingents from UNDOF and sent their soldiers home.


The Future of the Jordan Valley


Since 1967, the Jordan Valley has served as a formidable geographic barrier protecting Israel. It has been the front line of its defense in the east. The Israeli army has been deployed along its steep slopes, allowing it to thwart terrorist infiltration and deter potential attacks from hostile armies.


This critical zone cannot be turned over to international forces that have consistently proven to be ineffective and unreliable. Israel’s national ethos is one of self-reliance. Israel has never requested that its allies shed their soldiers’ blood for its defense.


Israel must defend itself, by itself.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on patrol in southern Lebanon. Since the war in 2006 ended, UNIFIL has watched Hizbullah rearm. (Photo credit: UN)

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.







Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close

Most Popular

Close