Story highlights The fence will span 30 kilometers (19 miles) along Israel's border with Jordan

The goal is to protect a future airport, and control "illegal migrants and terrorists."

(CNN) Israel began construction of a fence along its border with Jordan on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced at a weekly cabinet meeting.

"Today, we are starting to build a fence on our eastern border," he said Sunday.

"In the first stage, we will build it from Timna to Eilat in order to protect the airport being built there, and we will continue the fence up to the Golan Heights, where we have already built a strong security fence."

JUST WATCHED Israel to build fence along Syria border Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Israel to build fence along Syria border 03:23

Read More