New Settlement Outpost Planned Near Majd al-Krum After Eviction

A new plan is underway to re-establish a settlement outpost near the Arab town of Majd al-Krum in the Galilee, just hundreds of meters from its previous location. The Jewish National Fund (JNF), known as Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, claims ownership of the land. This new outpost will be managed by local guards from the Hashomer Hachadash organization in the Galilee, replacing the settlers from the occupied West Bank who were previously there.

The initial outpost, established by "Hilltop Youth" settlers in the "Al-Rous" area of Majd al-Krum, was dismantled last week following public protests and legal challenges demanding its removal and the restoration of land access to its owners. The eviction followed protests and pressure on the police, alongside legal action by the local council and the Adalah legal center.

The JNF had been considering establishing a pastoral outpost in the same area before the initial dismantling. The revised plan designates the site for grazing, with a maximum of two tents for goat herds and guards, and storage. JNF chairman Eyal Osterenksy visited the area Tuesday, stating the organization intends to re-establish the pasture legally leased by a farmer.

Osterenksy justified the outpost's re-establishment as a measure to prevent wildfires and ensure the safety of both Arab and Jewish residents. He emphasized the new site's greater distance from Majd al-Krum homes and its location on JNF-owned land, with a reduction in tents from three to two.

The shift to local Hashomer Hachadash guards aims to minimize friction and avoid unnecessary tensions, according to Osterenksy, due to their familiarity with the region. The first outpost had sparked tension when settlers occupied land claimed by the JNF and encroached on privately owned Arab land, raising fears of permanent settlement expansion into other Arab areas in the Galilee. Despite the relocation and reduced size, concerns persist due to the JNF's ownership claims and the proximity to lands owned by Majd al-Krum residents and Palestinian refugees.