A Transformation in the Jordan Valley

Published in the "B'Sheva" Newspaper

The numbers don’t lie—the Jordan Valley has seen remarkable growth in recent years. In 2018, the Jordan Valley Regional Council had approximately 5,530 residents. By 2023, that number had grown to 7,725, an astonishing 39.7% increase, with 2,195 new residents moving to the region.

The Jordan Valley’s future looks bright. Not only is the region’s development widely supported on a national level, but construction is expanding, young families are returning to the agricultural villages of their parents, and there is a steady influx of new residents. Educational institutions are growing alongside the population, and the tourism industry is also playing a role in the overall boom.

This growth is accompanied by significant infrastructure development. "Access roads are steadily improving, the state is investing, and the Jordan Valley is becoming more connected than ever,” says Shlomi Wermstein of Harey Zahav. “More importantly, one of the most transformative changes is happening in Ma’ale Efraim. For the first time in decades, the state has launched the marketing of hundreds of housing units there after years of stagnation. Increasing the local population is key—when one area grows, it naturally makes surrounding communities more attractive, as services become more available. This is not a new model. The same thing happened in Harish a decade ago—back then, the city lacked stores, and today it is bustling with life, with real estate demand skyrocketing. That’s exactly how the market works."

When it comes to real estate, Wermstein knows what he’s talking about. Currently, Harey Zahav is developing nearly 1,000 housing units across multiple projects, with three already under construction in the Jordan Valley and three more in the planning stages. Wermstein explains that in recent years, Israel’s real estate market has begun to take increasing interest in Judea and Samaria. "Frontier communities like Negohot now have promising, attractive projects with large, thriving communities alongside expanding commerce, industry, and tourism opportunities."

The Jordan Valley, he says, is the next big trend. "What’s happening there today is nothing compared to what’s coming. Developers in retail and healthcare are already knocking on the door. In five years, we will see a dramatic improvement in the quality and availability of services in the Jordan Valley—there’s no question about it."

Surprisingly, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that played a major role in boosting the region. "Since COVID, remote work has gained significant traction worldwide, and especially in Israel. More and more industries—high-tech, architecture, and various freelance professions—allow people to work from anywhere, whether in the Golan, the Arava, or, in this case, the Jordan Valley, which is relatively close to central Israel. This trend is bringing a high-quality population to the area," Wermstein explains.

Beyond the practical benefits, he points to another driving force—fulfilling personal dreams. "We may be in the final stretch of the pandemic’s influence, but its impact remains—people want more, dare more, and are making bold changes in their lives."

Wermstein stresses that this isn’t just wishful thinking, but a clear strategic direction backed by national and municipal planning. "Anyone paying attention can see that in the coming years, Israel is set to invest massive funds into the Jordan Valley. More importantly, this region enjoys an almost unprecedented level of national consensus, making it distinct from much of Judea and Samaria in terms of legitimacy. That means state resources, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and commerce in the area will only continue to expand."

Wouldn’t some of these communities prefer to stay small?

"I used to think that, too. But after visiting these communities, I found they are eager to grow and are actively welcoming new residents. The Jordan Valley communities are fully engaged in this process. They are opening their doors."