Smotrich Demands Control Over Negev and Galilee, Cites Illegal Weapons Threat

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich addressed a conference in the Galilee on Tuesday, outlining ambitious goals to tackle personal security threats and demographic challenges in the region. Citing Shin Bet estimates, Smotrich stated that approximately one million illegal weapons are in circulation in Israel, posing a direct threat to national security. He called for a fundamental shift in how this issue is addressed, advocating for legislation to define the possession of illegal weapons as terrorism, full involvement of the Shin Bet, and thousands of arrests to eradicate the problem.

Smotrich also warned that current tools for addressing regional challenges are insufficient, comparing them to "bailing out the ocean with a spoon." He set a clear Zionist objective to ensure a Jewish majority in the Galilee. To achieve significant change, he announced his intention to demand direct responsibility for the Negev and Galilee regions, including control over the Israel Land Authority and the Planning Administration. His aim is to replicate the model he implemented in Judea and Samaria.

To facilitate this, Smotrich pledged to lead legislation enabling the government to make swift decisions on establishing new communities, bypassing bureaucratic delays.