Smotrich's Galilee Plan Echoes Failed Judea and Samaria Settlement Efforts

Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich's recent pledge to "Judaize" the Galilee region is being met with skepticism, with critics pointing to his previous efforts in Judea and Samaria as a model of failure. The article argues that Smotrich's actions in Judea and Samaria, which involved establishing outposts and spending billions, did not lead to a significant increase in the Jewish population beyond natural growth, much of which is attributed to the Haredi community. This demographic outcome, the author contends, means Smotrich failed in his stated goal of "Judaizing" the area, even from a purely national interest perspective, ignoring the political complexities.

Smotrich's rhetoric about replicating past actions in the Galilee evokes historical attempts to establish settlements, known as "Mitzpim," in the region approximately 50 years ago. These earlier initiatives also aimed to increase the Jewish population and prevent the expansion of Arab towns onto state lands. The article draws a parallel to the film "Giv'at Halfon Ein Ona," questioning land ownership, and suggests Smotrich's approach to the Galilee may involve "incitement, spreading hatred, and actions that spoil Israel's reputation internationally," rather than genuine settlement.

Adding to the controversy, Rabbi Dov Lior, associated with the Otzma Yehudit party, issued a ruling permitting Jews to harvest olives from Arab-owned trees, deeming it a "supererogatory merit" rather than theft. This ruling raises concerns among Arab farmers in the Galilee about their property rights and safety should Smotrich's settlement "enterprise" be transplanted there. The article questions the effectiveness and ethical implications of Smotrich's proposed policies, especially in light of the stagnant population figures in Judea and Samaria.

Furthermore, the article criticizes Smotrich's presentation of a recent "Religious Zionism" conference, alleging he misrepresented the attendance numbers. Smotrich claimed approximately 5,500 attendees, while the venue's capacity is around 3,000, suggesting either a violation of occupancy limits or a deliberate exaggeration for political gain. The author also notes the conspicuous absence of women in the conference's promotional photos and videos, interpreting this as indicative of a broader issue within his party regarding the role and visibility of women, and drawing a comparison to Smotrich's past controversial remarks about sexuality.

The piece concludes by linking these observations to a perceived shift within Religious Zionism towards a more Haredi-aligned ideology, characterized by the exclusion of women from public life and potentially hostile attitudes towards the Arab population. This ideological shift, the author argues, has budgetary implications that affect everyone, contrasting it with earlier values of the movement that emphasized shared activities and broader societal engagement.