New agricultural town breaks ground in the Jordan Valley

The first structures for a new agricultural outpost named Bitaron were installed in the Jordan Valley on Sunday, under the jurisdiction of the Jordan Valley Regional Council. The outpost is expected to be officially inaugurated next month, with approximately 20 families preparing to move in. The project is described by the organization Shomer Hadash as the first step in a broader initiative called “A Wraparound for Israel,” which aims to establish new communities along Israel’s eastern border and other border regions. Yoel Silberman, founder and CEO of Shomer Hadash, described the establishment as a moment of restoration and hope, noting that the October 7th massacre highlighted the need for a renewed approach to developing border areas. According to Silberman, the initiative envisions transforming border zones into “green belts” that combine young communities, innovative industries, and solutions for food and water. He emphasized that strengthening border communities serves as an engine for national security and that Bitaron represents only the beginning of this wider plan.