Smotrich vows to Judaize Arab-majority areas in Israel's periphery 'like in the West Bank'
The far-right minister also accused Arab citizens of "occupying" the northern Galilee and southern Negev regions. Netanyahu's governing coalition has made the Judaization of these regions a government policy
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a plan on Thursday to significantly boost the Jewish population in areas of Israel with substantial Arab-Israeli communities, in advance of the upcoming October elections. Smotrich, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government, introduced his party's strategy for "Judaising" the Negev and Galilee regions, drawing parallels to the successful model implemented in Judea and Samaria.
Speaking via social media platform X, Smotrich articulated, "Today I present to you the Religious Zionism's plan for the Judaisation of the Negev and Galilee: the revolution we carried out in Judea and Samaria – we will carry out in the Negev and Galilee, and on a massive scale." The minister disclosed that the initiative aims to add one million more Jews to these regions, establish 40 new settlements, construct numerous farms, expand existing settlements, and erect hundreds of thousands of housing units.
Smotrich emphasized that the project will also terminate "reckless plans" in Arab settlements that encroach upon Jewish settlement areas and claim land reserves. Recent polls suggest that Smotrich's party could cross the electoral threshold necessary for representation in the upcoming parliament, positioning the party as a contender for influential political influence.
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- Israel's Smotrich sets out plan to 'Judaise' Arab population centres middleeasteye.net
