Peaceful protests drove settlers from Majd al-Krum outpost; Palestinian citizens of Israel fear becoming next target if right wins
Protests on al-Rus mountain
Police blocked the road to al-Rus, so villagers found other routes up the mountain. Settlers said they had a Jewish National Fund permit to graze livestock, but Hussein Mannaa said there were no animals. Villagers reported the camp grew to 25 to 30 people within a week, with basic facilities.
Young people organised protests and invited residents to gather over coffee on the land. Anas Sgaier recalled seeing an elderly woman and her husband make the difficult climb to show their presence. The settlers’ tents have since disappeared, though sparse remains and Hebrew graffiti are still there.
Residents continue visiting the mountain, where families barbecue and schoolchildren draw and play music. Hanan, a Palestinian Christian from a nearby village, said she had not previously felt the threat of outposts so close, and described the local community as united in defending its land.
Fear of wider pressure
Villagers say the al-Rus camp may have been a test of how the community would respond. Mannaa believes the settlers wanted to provoke a confrontation and create disorder. He said Majd al-Krum was chosen because its residents have a history of resisting pressure.
Residents connect their concerns to Palestinian citizens’ rights in Israel, which they say make dispossession more difficult than in the occupied West Bank. Mannaa said the community had the most to lose because its members remained on their land. Khaled Kewan warned that a defeat in Majd al-Krum could have consequences across the Galilee.
On September 18, police announced the arrest of a 32-year-old Majd al-Krum resident over alleged contact with a Lebanese agent. Smotrich linked the case to the atmosphere before the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Villagers said the remarks and the outpost raised fears of further targeting.
Election choices and turnout
Organisers say turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel could reach 70 to 75 percent, compared with levels of 45 to 65 percent in recent years. They said the higher figure would match the turnout last seen in 1999.
Husein Khalaily, who has usually boycotted elections, is now urging people to vote. He said removing prominent racists from office matters, while expecting little difference between Netanyahu’s government and a likely replacement apart from the absence of Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Sgaier plans to continue boycotting. He said residents should respond to events in Majd al-Krum through street protests rather than the Knesset or laws, and sees little difference between the two Zionist political blocs. Al Jazeera said it had contacted the JNF, Israeli police and the Israeli Finance Ministry for comment, but had not received responses.
Key points
- Villagers say peaceful protests forced settlers to leave their al-Rus mountain camp.
- Residents fear the events could signal wider pressure on Palestinian communities across the Galilee.
- Organisers believe Palestinian citizens’ election turnout could reach 70 to 75 percent.
- Some residents urge voting, while others favour protest and boycotting elections.