Two Jerusalem men sparked a border scare after crossing into Jordan on a jet ski near Eilat. Intercepted by Israeli maritime police and the IDF, they were detained, questioned, and released under strict conditions.
What began as a thrill ride nearly escalated into an international incident.
On Wednesday, two men from Jerusalem, aged 34 and 35, crossed Israel’s southern maritime border into Jordan on a jet ski. The incident occurred in the Gulf of Eilat, where international boundaries run dangerously close to recreational waters.
The Eilat Maritime Police, working with the IDF’s Red Sea Unit, swiftly located the riders and escorted them back across the border to Israel. The two were taken for questioning at the Eilat Police Station before being released under restrictive conditions.
Israeli police warned that such acts will not be treated lightly:
“Crossing the maritime border without authorization is illegal and will lead to the initiation of criminal proceedings against the violators.”
Authorities urged the public to act responsibly during maritime recreation, particularly in the Gulf of Eilat, where a short detour can land boaters or riders in foreign waters. Officials further recommended carrying a waterproof mobile device to contact rescue centers in emergencies.
What may have seemed like a reckless joyride now stands as a sobering reminder: in Eilat’s waters, the line between sport and security is razor-thin.
