Religious Zionism launches a new settlement initiative in the Negev and Galilee

The Religious Zionism party announced the opening of registration for new settlement nuclei in the Negev and Galilee, with a goal of adding one million Jews, 40 new communities, and dozens of farms. The move comes amid the evacuation of a compound near Majd al-Krum. Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich said Israel is "a step away from complete loss of control" in these areas, and that settlement will bring security.

The Religious Zionism party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, announced the opening of registration for new settlement nuclei in the Negev and Galilee. This is a large-scale plan including an ambitious goal of adding one million Jews to both regions, establishing 40 new communities and dozens of farms, alongside expanding existing communities and creating hundreds of thousands of housing solutions. The move comes amid the evacuation of a compound established near Majd al-Krum, an event that reportedly served as a catalyst for the announcement. On the party's registration website, applicants can choose to join a nucleus in the Negev, the Galilee, or both, with the locations of the nuclei and their establishment stages to be provided to registrants later. Smotrich justified the move by citing an alleged loss of control in these areas, saying, "Where there will be Jewish settlement, there will be security." The article presents the move as a news announcement without critical analysis or presentation of opposing views.