HAIFA — Samantha Sutton, a former Director at the U.S. National Security Council and a fellow at the Atlantic Council, identified infrastructure deficiencies, political opposition within Israel, and regional competition as threats to Israel's inclusion in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) initiative. Sutton delivered these remarks during an IMEC Initiative workshop held in Haifa on July 1 and July 2, 2026.

The workshop, hosted by the Maritime Policy and Strategy Center and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Regional Cooperation and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, included a visit along the planned route of the Israeli segment of the corridor. This route extends from the Port of Haifa to the Jordan River Bridges. The IMEC initiative designates Haifa as one of its target ports, with plans to enhance its infrastructure for commerce among Europe, India, and the Middle East.

Sutton stated that Haifa port's current capacity is insufficient for the IMEC initiative. She said the main discussion regarding Haifa port is centered on the need to improve its capacity and that current port capacity numbers are half of what would be needed. According to Sutton, Haifa port will need to handle seven million Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) containers annually for the IMEC initiative, while the Port Authority reports its current capacity as 2.5 million TEU.

She also addressed land-based infrastructure, stating that current crossing points between Israel and Jordan do not have the necessary capacity. Sutton indicated that 7,500 trucks would be required to cross the border between Israel and Jordan daily once the IMEC initiative is fully operational; current estimates show 200 trucks cross daily. She noted that plans exist for infrastructure upgrades, new railways, and enhancements in both Israel and Jordan to support the initiative.

Sutton identified political resistance within Israel as a challenge. She said the current Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is a primary source of pushback against Israel's participation in the IMEC initiative. Sutton suggested that a change in the Israeli government's coalition partners would be productive for advancing Israel's inclusion in the project. She also stated that integrating Jordanians and Palestinians in the IMEC initiative would be supportive.

Regional competition also poses a threat to Israel's role in the corridor. Sutton stated that other nations are investing in infrastructure to become the gateway to the Mediterranean for the Middle East and India. She mentioned discussions about infrastructure development in the Tartus port in Syria and noted that Saudi Arabia and Turkey are exploring alternative pathways for the corridor. Sutton stated that Saudi Arabia is pushing for alternative pathways to Israel in the IMEC initiative. She added that a project bypassing Israel would be "too harsh" and that Israel's exclusion from the IMEC project would represent a "worst-case scenario."