Israeli Group Aims to Bring 200,000 New Jewish Residents to Galilee by 2030

The "Lev BaGalil" (Heart in the Galilee) organization held its first annual conference, presenting national goals to the next Israeli government aimed at reversing demographic trends and prioritizing the Galilee region. A central objective, outlined in the "Galilee Index," is to attract approximately 200,000 new Jewish residents to the Northern District by 2030, beyond natural growth. This initiative seeks to increase the Jewish population percentage in the region from the current 42.3% to 48%.

The conference, held at Kibbutz Nehar Hayarden in Givat Avni, was attended by senior ministers, local authority heads, and hundreds of activists and residents. Specific targets were set for the Central Galilee, where the Jewish population is currently around 23%, aiming to raise it to 30% by attracting about 80,000 new residents.

In addition to demographic goals, "Lev BaGalil" proposed marketing 2,000 housing units through dedicated programs for the Zionist population in Galilee cities, equalizing density requirements between Jewish and Arab municipalities, re-evaluating wasteful construction plans, reducing illegal construction and environmental nuisances, and confiscating 100,000 illegal weapons in the Galilee.

During the event, the "Lev BaGalil Zionist Activity Award" was presented for the first time to the "Ad Kan" organization for its efforts against protection rackets in the Galilee. The award recognized their transformation of a civilian initiative into an organized struggle that brought about change among victims and policymakers.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that an estimated one million illegal weapons in Israel pose a significant national security threat, advocating for legislative action to define the phenomenon as terror and involve the Shin Bet in operations. He expressed his intention to take responsibility for the Judaization of the Negev and Galilee.

Minister of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism Amichai Chikli acknowledged significant achievements in the past term but stressed that more is needed, particularly concerning the Galilee's demographics. He noted the need to address the Israel Land Authority's actions and potential retaliatory measures.