Smotrich to Yair Golan: "The Judaization of the Galilee Will Happen Anyway When We Win"

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded sharply to criticism from Democrats leader Yair Golan regarding his plan to expand the settlement revolution from Judea and Samaria to the Negev and Galilee. Smotrich stated that the Judaization of the Galilee will happen anyway when Religious Zionism wins the elections. His associates highlight strengthening Jewish settlement and restoring governance in these areas as key goals.

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich responded sharply to remarks by Democrats party chairman Yair Golan, who opposed his plan to transfer the settlement revolution from Judea and Samaria to the Negev and Galilee. Golan earlier said that Smotrich intends to act in the Galilee as he did in Judea and Samaria, remarks interpreted as criticism of the government's policy to strengthen Jewish settlement in the north. In response, Smotrich stated: "Yair, I sense you're not really connecting with the processes of Judaizing the Galilee. No problem, it will happen anyway when we win. This time, don't bet on the Galilee. Vote Religious Zionism!" Smotrich's associates say this is one of the party's main goals in the upcoming elections. According to them, after the moves he led in Judea and Samaria, which included regulating dozens of settlements, extensive infrastructure investments, and accelerating construction, the next target is strengthening Jewish settlement in the Negev and Galilee. They further claim that the minister intends to act to restore governance and strengthen the Jewish majority in these areas, against what they define as illegal takeover and state withdrawal over the years.