HShomer HaChadash Evolves From Farm Watchdog to Settlement Promoter

The organization HShomer HaChadash, or "The New Guard," has recently come to prominence due to its involvement in a settlement dispute near the town of Majd al-Krum in the Upper Galilee. In September 2026, the management of a site initially established by the Hilltop Youth group was transferred to three HShomer HaChadash members. This organization, founded in 2007 as a personal initiative to protect a family farm in the Galilee, has expanded significantly over less than two decades.

Initially driven by Yoel Zilberman's experience with livestock theft and property damage on his family's farm, HShomer HaChadash began as a volunteer effort. It later partnered with government institutions, the Jewish National Fund, police, and border police. The organization's activities now encompass agriculture, community security, education, and settlement, particularly in the Galilee, the Negev, and open areas. It positions itself as an extension of "practical Zionism," emphasizing settlement and land acquisition.

HShomer HaChadash's activities have broadened from guarding farms and pastures to actively participating in agriculture, organizing volunteers for planting and harvesting, and addressing labor shortages, especially after October 7, 2023. The organization has also established a settlement division focused on promoting civilian presence in border areas through new settlements, student villages, and family farms. Its current projects extend to the West Bank, including a new agricultural moshav in the Jordan Valley, and sites in the Negev and near the Dead Sea.

Beyond security and settlement, HShomer HaChadash runs educational programs and youth initiatives. Its "Adam VeAdama" school network combines secondary education with agricultural work. The organization also manages youth movements and pre-military service programs, engaging over 22,000 students. It collaborates with government ministries on various projects, including one with the Ministry of Settlement and National Missions, and has secured significant government contracts.

The organization has developed strong ties with the Jewish National Fund, engaging in joint projects involving forests, agricultural lands, and fire monitoring, with substantial funding allocated to these initiatives. Partnerships also extend to the police and border police for combating agricultural crime. HShomer HaChadash has seen considerable growth, with its declared income reaching approximately 170.6 million shekels in 2024, employing 745 staff and registering over 155,000 volunteers.