Smotrich Decries 'Loss of Governance' in Galilee Amid Heavy Security

Religious Zionism party leader and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich held an urgent meeting Thursday near Majd al-Krum in northern Israel, which was secured by over 140 Border Police officers. Smotrich criticized the extensive security presence, comparing it to operations in Gaza and stating it demonstrated a "loss of Israeli sovereignty and governance in the Galilee."

He asserted that Israel's "helplessness and lack of governance" in the region were a dangerous regression to the days before October 7th, when Israel allegedly feared escalation even from minor incidents. Smotrich vowed that his party would end this situation in the next term, taking responsibility for the issue and promoting the "Judaization of the Negev and Galilee."

Smotrich outlined a plan to settle one million additional Jews in the Negev and Galilee, establish 40 new communities, expand existing ones, and create hundreds of thousands of housing solutions. He noted that over 500 families had already registered for initial settlement groups.

Minister of Settlement and National Missions Orit Strock echoed these concerns, calling the situation in the Galilee a "strategic danger" and stating her party would seek greater authority from the Israel Land Authority and the Planning Administration in the upcoming term.