Jewish Shepherds' Camp Near Majd al-Krum Relocated After KKL Admits Errors

Eyal Ostrovsky, Chairman of the Jewish National Fund (JNF, or KKL in Hebrew), has responded to controversy surrounding a Jewish shepherds' encampment near the Arab town of Majd al-Krum in northern Israel. Ostrovsky stated that grazing is essential for preventing fires by reducing dry vegetation and will continue. He acknowledged that while the grazing itself was legally approved, errors and failures occurred in its implementation.

In response to these acknowledged shortcomings, the shepherds' tent encampment, which was largely established on land not belonging to the JNF, has been temporarily dismantled until after the Yom Kippur holiday. Ostrovsky noted that the encampment exceeded permitted size and occupancy limits.

Following Yom Kippur, grazing activities will resume. The new encampment will be situated on JNF land, further away from Majd al-Krum's residential areas and its municipal boundary. The number of residents will be reduced from five to a maximum of three, and the living quarters will be scaled down to include only essential provisions for maintaining the flock.

Ostrovsky explained that the JNF made a mistake in the initial location of the encampment it approved for the Jewish shepherds. The organization will permit the establishment of a smaller, revised encampment on adjacent land after the holiday to ensure the continuation of sheep grazing.