A settlement camp on Galilee's hill

A car climbs a bumpy road through an olive grove in Galilee, where an Arab city called Majd al-Kroum lies below. Hussein Mana, a local lawyer and member of the municipal council, collects trash near an abandoned camp set up by Jewish settlers from Bethlehem. The camp, marked by Hebrew flyers and tents, was occupied for over three weeks by young settlers from the West Bank.

Settlers' intentions and local response

Hussein Mana says the settlers aimed to provoke a clash. The hill, the region's highest point, is a strategic location for monitoring nearby Arab cities. He claims the settlers are trying to extend the colonization model from the West Bank to Galilee, turning it into a lawless zone and diminishing the status of Arab residents.

Galilee's demographics and political tensions

Galilee, a northern Israeli region, is mostly Arab, with Muslim, Christian, and Druze populations. Many residents hold Israeli citizenship but do not serve in the military (except Druze). As legislative elections approach, right-wing politicians like Ohad Tal of the Religious Zionist Party advocate for "Jewishizing" the Galilee, aiming to seize agricultural land and redevelop the area for Israelis.

Legal resistance and court rulings

Hussein Mana says the residents of Majd al-Kroum organized peaceful resistance, walking daily to the occupied hill and initiating legal battles. Israeli courts eventually ruled in their favor, but he warns that the justice system is increasingly influenced by the far right and adopting military-style methods.

Far-right influence and propaganda

An extreme-right website, HaKol HaYehudi, published an investigation accusing a Palestinian urban planner, Rassem Khamaisi, of a conspiracy to control Galilee by blocking roads and isolating the north. The investigation, however, is based on Khamaisi's urban planning work aimed at developing Arab communities. The site portrays him as an enemy of the state.

Urban planning and systemic discrimination

Rassem Khamaisi, an urban planner, says it has become nearly impossible for Israeli Arabs to develop infrastructure due to far-right policies. This limits employment and public services, increasing criminality in the community. He describes Arab citizens as "traitors" in the eyes of the government, with no protection from discrimination.

Roads as political battlegrounds

On road 77, a route through Galilee, the far-right group Regavim claims the road is a "settlement corridor" that needs to be controlled. The road leads to Eilaboun, a Palestinian town with a history of Israeli violence. Here, Hana Sweid, a former MP, runs the Arab Center for Alternative Planning, highlighting the lack of support from institutions for Arab citizens.

Elections and political mobilization

Hana Sweid says Arab citizens face increasing restrictions on rights and freedoms, with the extreme-right government controlling institutions. She emphasizes the need for political change through mobilization in the upcoming elections. Arab voters, often seen as "kingmakers," are urged to increase their participation to gain more representation.

Election lists and legal challenges

Two Arab electoral lists, Ra'am and the Unified List, are competing in the October 27 elections. After being invalidated by the Israeli Electoral Commission, the Supreme Court allowed them to run. Hana Sweid argues that participating in a coalition with the current government is ineffective, and the priority is to remove Netanyahu and the far right from power.

Youth engagement and political change

In Eilaboun, young people like Eissa, a literature and musicology student, are beginning to engage in the political process. He says the situation has become so difficult that mobilization is urgent. Many young people are considering voting for non-Arab parties, but the goal is to increase voter turnout and influence the election outcome.

Local resistance and political outcomes

After Israeli courts ordered the evacuation of the settlers in Majd al-Kroum, Smotrich and his supporters arrived with over 300 soldiers. Hussein Mana managed to prevent any violence, and the settlers eventually left. A large Israeli flag still flies on the hill, symbolizing the ongoing tensions in the region.