New settlement group says it will push Jewish presence in south Lebanon

The “Uri Tzafon” movement announced on Sunday night the creation of a new settlement nucleus called “Mi Marom,” saying it intends to advance Jewish settlement in southern Lebanon. The group tied the launch to the Hebrew date of 29 Sivan, which Jewish tradition marks as the day the spies were sent out, and described the effort as part of “rectifying the sin of the spies.”

According to the founders, the immediate goal is to establish a Jewish community north of the Israeli town of Avivim, in the area where the hostile village of Maroun al-Ras once stood. They said the planned settlement is meant to bolster long-term security along the northern border and argued that without civilian presence the army cannot remain there for long.

The movement also criticized regional diplomacy and reliance on outside powers. “Precisely when a terrible agreement is being forged between the United States and Iran, it once again becomes clear that we should not place our trust in the nations, but in God, ourselves and our people,” it said.

In its announcement, Mi Marom said it hopes to move soon to the area, calling it “strategic, historical and beautiful,” and urged supporters to join what it framed as an effort to “end the cycles” and restore security to the Galilee.