Israel promotes land allocation in the Naqab for Jewish-only 'settlement nuclei'

The government is advancing a plan to allocate land to so-called "settlement nuclei" in new towns in the Naqab, effectively ensuring that these towns will be exclusively Jewish. Settlement nuclei (known in Hebrew as Gar’inim) are organized groups, often ideologically driven, that aim to establish or promote Jewish communities in areas considered strategically or ideologically significant, focusing on advancing Jewish settlement in areas with significant Palestinian populations. This includes the West Bank, current aspirations by the Gar’inim to re-settle in Gaza, and, within Israel, primarily in the Naqab (Negev, south of Israel) and the Galilee.

One of these towns is Yatir. In February 2023, Yitzhak Goldknopf, the Minister of Housing, approved the development of Yatir in connection with the Chabad settlement nuclei, which is an Orthodox Hasidic Jewish group. Recently, on 9 June 2024, the Israeli government approved Decision No. 1854, which outlines the plans for Yatir. The Israeli government has subsequently instructed the Ministry of Settlement and National Missions, through the World Zionist Organization (WZO), to identify settlement nuclei —for the purpose of establishing a “temporary settlement” in the Yatir area. 

In response, Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, sent a letter to Israel’s Prime Minister, the Attorney General, and the Director of the Israel Land Authority, demanding the immediate cancellation of Government Decision No. 1854, arguing that it is arbitrary, discriminatory, and unconstitutional. The plan for the construction of the town of Yatir was approved in 2018, outlining the development of 500 housing units.

Statements from officials reveal that the town of Yatir was intended to ensure territorial continuity between Jewish settlements in the West Bank and those in the Naqab. Orit Strock, the Minister of Settlement and National Missions, noted that its purpose is: “Strengthening the strategic position of the northern Negev and maintaining settlement continuity.” A representative of the Settlement Division stated: “This framework essentially connects the southern Hebron Hills with the Negev... including Yatir, where we are now, and the Arad Valley in the eastern area.” 

The government decision followed the publication of a call inviting settlement nuclei to submit proposals to the Ministry of Settlement and the WZO's Settlement Division to create new rural communities in the Arad area (in accordance with a 2022 government decision approving the establishment of five new Jewish 'community towns' in the Arad area), Ir Ovot, and Yatir. The call lists as one of the criteria that members of the nucleus must share an ideological connection. This requirement underscores that these initiatives aim to establish communities that promote and sustain a specific ideological identity. Given that settlement nuclei are exclusively Jewish, it would facilitate the creation of Jewish-only towns, and thus entrench racial segregation. Such a move aligns with Israel’s stated commitment to judaizing the Naqab and the Galilee, as outlined in its 2022 coalition agreement and guiding principles. The agreements further pledged to strengthen Jewish settlement in the Arad Valley in order to “improve the demographic balance”.