Valley of Peace Initiative - Project Overview

Project Overview

The phrase "Valley of Peace" specifically refers to the Arava/Arabah Valley, along which runs the southern portion of the Israel - Jordan border. One major part of the plan includes the private sector development of a $3 billion, 166 km-long (103-mile) canal system along the Arava, known as the Two Seas Canal. This engineering scheme would bring Red Sea water to the Dead Sea and could provide additional projects and benefits to the region and increase cooperation between Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians, through greater development and economic integration. Some environmentalists have criticized the plan, saying that rehabilitation of the Jordan River would be a better way to save the Dead Sea, and would bring less disruption.

This Valley of Peace is part of a 20-kilometer corridor being proposed by Israeli President Shimon Peres for regional economic development. About 420 km of the corridor runs along the Jordanian border, with no border fences, and another 100 km touches on the Palestinian territories. Other projects involve the German, Japanese, and Turkish governments and are slated to create up to a million new jobs in Israel and the West Bank.

Part of a series on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
and Arab–Israeli conflict
Israeli–Palestinian peace process
Map of Israel indicating the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights

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