Eilat City Council Votes to Reduce Dependence on Jordanian Workers Over Security Concerns

The Eilat City Council has unanimously passed a resolution aimed at significantly reducing the city's economic and labor dependence on workers from Jordan, citing pressing security concerns.

According to the approved motion, a dedicated task force will be established to formulate a comprehensive plan within sixty days. The resolution emphasizes that the personal safety of Eilat's residents and visitors takes precedence over economic considerations, noting deep concerns regarding thousands of daily cross-border workers entering sensitive sectors.

"The city council declares that the personal security of Eilat's residents and visitors is an existential need that overrides economic and employment needs," the resolution stated. Local officials warned that porous security measures could potentially allow hostile elements to infiltrate the city, drawing parallels to past security breaches and the events of October 7.

To offset the labor shortage, the municipality plans to encourage local employment through vocational training and improved conditions, while also advocating for the allocation of foreign workers from alternative countries. Mayor Eli Lankri has been tasked with presenting a detailed implementation timeline within the next two months.

Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israel Police, the IDF, and the local hotel industry participated in the recent discussions. While hotel operators face severe staffing challenges, the council insisted that public safety must remain the absolute priority for the southern resort city.