Palestinian citizens of Israel fear far-right election win could bring more Galilee outposts
Villagers in Majd al-Krum removed a settler outpost in September and now worry far-right electoral success will expand such efforts across the Galilee.
At a glance
- Settlers built an outpost on village land at al-Rus above Majd al-Krum in September; protesters removed it by September 16.
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has pledged to “Judaise” the Galilee and add one million Jews and 40 communities there.
- Organisers expect Palestinian citizen turnout of 70 to 75 percent in Tuesday’s election, up from 45 to 65 percent in recent years.
Palestinian citizens of Israel in the village of Majd al-Krum say they fear becoming the next target of far-right policies if Israel’s governing coalition wins Tuesday’s election. The concern follows a September incident in which settlers from the occupied West Bank built an outpost on village land at al-Rus, a hilltop above Majd al-Krum, only to remove it after a week of daily protests.
The outpost appeared around late August, according to villagers. Settlers said they had a grazing permit from the Jewish National Fund, but residents said they saw no livestock. The camp grew to between 25 and 30 people with a kitchen, toilet, water line and electricity. Hundreds of Palestinians from Majd al-Krum and nearby towns climbed the hill daily in peaceful demonstrations. The Jewish National Fund ordered the tents removed, and the site was cleared by September 16.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has campaigned on a promise to “Judaise” the Galilee, where many Palestinian citizens live, and to repeat there what he calls the revolution carried out in the occupied West Bank. On August 27, he posted a plan for one million more Jews and 40 new Jewish communities in the Galilee and al-Naqab. His party also released an AI-generated video warning that “the Jews are coming” to the Galilee.
Local leaders say the al-Rus episode was a test. “The al-Rus experiment is like a pilot,” said Husein Khalaily, a 50-year-old economic consultant from the village. Villagers rejected an offer to relocate the outpost to a nearby plot, saying they would not accept even one tent.
The election could hinge on Arab parties, as polls suggest neither main Zionist bloc can reach 61 seats without their support. Turnout among Palestinian citizens has ranged from 45 to 65 percent in recent years, but organisers now expect 70 to 75 percent, a level last seen in 1999. Some residents, including youth organiser Anas Sgaier, say they will still boycott the vote, arguing change happens on the streets rather than in parliament.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- What happened at al-Rus near Majd al-Krum?
- Settlers from the occupied West Bank built an outpost on village land in September. After a week of daily protests, the Jewish National Fund ordered the tents removed and the site was cleared by September 16.
- What is Bezalel Smotrich proposing for the Galilee?
- Smotrich has pledged to “Judaise” the Galilee and posted a plan for one million more Jews and 40 new Jewish communities in the Galilee and al-Naqab.
- How might Palestinian citizens vote in Tuesday’s election?
- Organisers expect turnout of 70 to 75 percent, higher than the recent 45 to 65 percent range, though some residents say they will still boycott.
