Israel Katz Pledges Settlement Revolution in Galilee Region

Defense Minister Israel Katz pledged to lead a "revolution in settlement" in the Galilee region during an emergency conference hosted by the Forum for Judaizing the Galilee on August 2, 2026. The conference, held in Karmiel, focused on a 10-year strategic plan to expand the Jewish presence and enhance security in northern Israel.

The proposed initiative targets four primary areas: demographics, land availability, quality of life, and law enforcement. To achieve these goals, the plan includes cracking down on illegal construction in the Arab sector, expanding transportation infrastructure, and increasing high-tech employment. To address security, the strategy calls for combatting organized crime through the use of dedicated courts.

The Forum for Judaizing the Galilee requested the creation of a coordinating body within the Prime Minister's Office to oversee the implementation of these measures. Dr. Ruth Cabasa Abramson, chair of the Forum, warned that the situation in the region has reached a "point of no return" and cautioned that failure to implement a comprehensive plan for the coming decade could cause irreversible damage to the state.