Bolton tours Jordan Valley, confirming its critical importance to Israel

Bolton toured the valley with Israel’s prime minister. 

By World Israel News Staff

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton toured the Jordan Valley with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

“I’ll just say that without security there is no peace, there is no long-lasting peace,” Bolton said. “I can assure you that President Trump will take the concerns that you have voiced so clearly over the years very much into account as we go forward on this.”

“And I just think it’s too bad, Prime Minister, that more Americans can’t come to locations like this, see the geography, understand its significance, understand how it affects Israel’s critical security position, and explain why Israel has taken the view that it has,” he added.

Bolton took a helicopter tour with the prime minister, Israel Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer and U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. They were briefed on security matters by GOC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Nadav Padan, Civil Administration Deputy Head Col. Shai Karmona and IDF Jordan Valley Brigade Commander Col. Udi Tzur.

“John, as you can see, the Jordan Valley offers Israel the minimal strategic depth and strategic height for the defense of our country. Our presence here also guarantees stability and security for the entire region,” Netanyahu said.

“For those who say that for peace to be established Israel has to leave the Jordan Valley, I’ll say that’s not going to bring peace, that’s going to bring war and terror. We’ve been there and we don’t want to be there again,” the prime minister said.

Bolton tweeted after the tour, “I saw firsthand the strategic importance that these locations have on Israel’s national security.”

The Jordan Valley is 65 miles long and is the deepest valley in the world. It forms part of the Israel-Jordan border.