Current sectionIsrael NewsIsrael SecurityThe far-right minister also accused Arab citizens of "occupying" the northern Galilee and southern Negev regions. Netanyahu's governing coalition has made the Judaization of these regions a government policyShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeAdi Hashmonaiand Jack Khoury07:14 PM • August 27 2026 IDTFinance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched a new campaign on Thursday outlining his plan to Judaize Arab-majority areas in Israel's periphery, accusing Arab citizens of "occupying" the northern Galilee and southern Negev regions.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:Israel settlementsGalileeLikudArab IsraelisBenjamin NetanyahuItamar Ben-GvirBezalel SmotrichNegevOtzma YehuditCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Live UpdatesWest BankIDF VideoGaza Militias Hasan PikerPro-IsraelOfer WinterSyriaPollHaQuizHaaretz PodcastAfter Likud Smear Campaign, Ofer Winter Vows to Back Netanyahu as Prime MinisterSmotrich Vows to Judaize Arab-majority Areas 'Like in the West Bank'Ahead of PA Elections, Dahlan Explores anti-Abbas Alliance With HamasCraving a Cool Midsummer Dip? Ein Lavan Is Your Best Bet Near JerusalemIsrael's Opposition Is Again Looking for Salvation in the Wrong PlacesRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIAn Israeli Startup Is Reinventing Salmon Farming. It May Upend a Global IndustryHasan Piker Talks Hamas, anti-Zionism and Why Americans Are Fed Up With IsraelBeing Israeli Abroad Has Become Embarrassing. You Don't Talk About It'Israel Is Sending Militias to Commit War Crimes – and I Have to Protect Them'David Remnick on Netanyahu, Mamdani and Israel's 'Failure to Face' GazaBen-Gvir's Ambush Shook Netanyahu – and Unleashed a War for Right-wing Votes