Expert: Ilan Goldenberg
Ilan Goldenberg is Senior Fellow and Director of the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. He is a foreign policy and defense expert with extensive government experience covering Iran’s nuclear program, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the broader challenges facing the Middle East. Prior to CNAS, Mr. Goldenberg served as the Chief of Staff to the Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations at the U.S. Department of State. In that position, he has played a key leadership role with the small team supporting Secretary Kerry’s initiative to conduct permanent status peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Key Recommendations
First, Israel would need to complete its separation barrier as suggested in the CIS plan 'Security First'. Second, a better fence on the Jordan border is needed. A multi-layered border system would need to be created between Jordan and the new Palestinian state. That would include:
BORDER WITH JORDAN
A multi-layered border system would need to be created between Jordan and a Palestinian state to guarantee Israel's security.
THIRD-PARTY FORCE
A special U.S. force that could be trusted by the Israelis would serve and monitor the crossing.
The Fence with Jordan
A multi-layered border system would need to be created between Jordan and the new Palestinian state. That would include:
AEROSTATE-BORNE MONITORING
An Aerostat-borne monitoring system that can see a threat coming miles away.
EXPANDED BARRIERS
Redundant physical barriers, sensors, and monitoring systems on the border itself – on both sides of the Jordan river.
U.S. FORCE
Patrols conducted by an American force (see: Tough Question – Third Party Force).
The crossing points between Jordan and the new Palestinian state would be manned by Palestinians and Jordanians — but would include 24/7 monitoring by the Israeli Defense Forces that would be non-visible, and eventually remote if technology permits. An American third-party presence would be on-site to ensure that Israeli concerns are addressed if remote or behind-the-glass monitoring raises Israeli concerns that might not be shared by the Palestinians or Jordanians.
