Eilat City Council Votes to Reduce Reliance on Jordanian Workers
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
The Eilat City Council has unanimously decided to gradually reduce the city's reliance on Jordanian workers in hotels due to security and economic concerns. Mayor Eli Lankri has been advocating for this change for three years, citing risks and meeting with numerous security officials. The decision aims to increase foreign worker quotas from other countries while decreasing dependence on Jordanians, despite some officials highlighting the importance of the workers within the peace agreement with Jordan. The council also requested a special meeting to find practical solutions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Eilat City Council unanimously voted to reduce reliance on Jordanian workers in hotels.
- Mayor Eli Lankri cited deep security and economic concerns as reasons for the decision.
- The move aims to gradually replace Jordanian workers with foreign laborers from alternative countries.
- Concerns were heightened by a reported Shin Bet chief's statement about a potential attack on Eilat.
- Jordanian workers have been a significant part of Eilat's hotel workforce for over a decade.
- Some officials view the employment of Jordanians as crucial to the peace agreement with Jordan.
The Eilat City Council has unanimously approved a resolution to gradually reduce the city's dependence on Jordanian workers in hotels, citing deep security and economic concerns. Mayor Eli Lankri, who has been warning government ministries for three years about Eilat's economic reliance on Jordan and the security risks posed by Jordanian workers, spearheaded the initiative. Lankri has sent numerous letters to security officials and met with various high-ranking security and government figures to address the issue.
The decision comes amid growing unease, amplified by a recent statement attributed to the new Shin Bet chief suggesting a potential future attack on Eilat. Lankri sought clarification from security authorities regarding the threat assessment for the city and the adequacy of current operational responses.
Jordanian workers have been employed in Eilat's hotels for over a decade, with government approvals allowing for up to 2,500 daily workers in hotels and an additional 450 in other sectors. This influx has led to a situation where Israeli staff are rarely found in hotels. The police commander of Eilat reported 14 incidents involving Jordanian workers in 2025 and 2026, noting that affected workers are immediately deported.
Despite the security concerns, some government and diplomatic officials argue that the employment of Jordanian workers is an integral part of the peace agreement with Jordan and serves Israel's broader strategic interests. They emphasize that the city is not isolated from national security considerations and that the agreement facilitates further bilateral cooperation.
Nevertheless, the Eilat City Council's resolution commits to gradually increasing quotas for foreign workers from alternative countries while simultaneously reducing reliance on Jordanian labor. The council also called for a special meeting with all relevant parties to develop practical solutions to manage the workforce situation without harming the city's economy.
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