Far-Right Efforts Threaten Expansion of Arab Town Near Acre

Social activist and popular movement member in Jadeidi Makr, lawyer Wissam Arid, has warned of efforts by far-right leaders and government ministers to obstruct plans for the town's expansion and building areas. The stated reason for this opposition is to prevent the town from encroaching on the city of Acre, citing the need to maintain Jewish presence and demographic balance. Arid explained that Jadeidi Makr faces pressure to limit the expansion of its "blue line" and building zones in the western Makr plain and northern areas.

He referenced past statements by Minister Orit Strock and other officials advocating for the restriction of urban development in Arab towns to confine residents to narrow geographical areas. Arid criticized the appointment of individuals associated with the "Regavim" settler movement and the far-right to key positions within state administration and the Israel Land Authority. He believes these appointments aim to dispossess Arab landowners and tighten restrictions on them.

Arid concluded by calling for unified efforts among residents, local councils, political parties, and legal and engineering institutions to develop alternative plans and counter these schemes through district committees and to resist the confiscation of remaining lands. These statements follow an announcement by Minister Bezalel Smotrich that Minister Strock's efforts halted a master plan intended to expand Jadeidi Makr by approximately 12,000 dunams. The decision was reportedly made after a campaign led by Strock against the plan, which she described as a threat to Jewish settlement in the Galilee. Smotrich affirmed his government's plan for the Negev and Galilee aims to strengthen Jewish settlement in both regions, characterizing the urban expansion of Arab towns as "seizing" land.