Activist Warns of Wider Plan Behind Settlements in Arab Towns
Jamal Fattoum, a lawyer and activist, has warned that a nascent settlement outpost in the Majd al-Krum area may be the precursor to a broader scheme targeting Arab lands and presence within Israel. He anticipates increased pressure on Arab communities in the coming period.
Fattoum linked the events in Majd al-Krum to similar activities in neighboring areas, citing the placement of Israeli flags on a road between Deir Hanna and Nahf over a month ago, and signage in Nahf indicating soil testing. He believes these soil tests are preparatory steps for land appropriation related to a planned railway project that residents had previously opposed.
He expressed concern that these actions are being planned and executed without local consultation, occurring simultaneously and often unnoticed by residents. Fattoum emphasized that the issue is not isolated to one town but affects all Arab communities, including Majd al-Krum, Nahf, and Deir Hanna, stressing the need for unified efforts.
Fattoum rejected separating official planning projects from the actions of settler groups, viewing them as part of a single strategy to seize Arab lands. He cautioned against underestimating the perpetrators, describing them as part of a larger plan and considering the Majd al-Krum situation a battle for Arab existence and land. He also pointed to other instances, such as the construction of an agricultural road in Arraba and planned transportation projects near Arab villages and lands, advocating for a comprehensive approach rather than addressing each case in isolation.
Furthermore, Fattoum suggested that the current events are a test of the Arab community's ability to resist. He warned that even if the immediate outpost is removed, the issue may resurface with greater intensity. He called for a shift from reactive measures to proactive action, urging the rebuilding of popular committees in Arab towns, representing diverse groups, and establishing a unified leadership for grassroots efforts. He stressed the need for broad public support, planning, and the use of effective legal tools, asserting that the residents of Majd al-Krum will not stand alone and that political and social frameworks must mobilize to counter these developments.
