The conference convened with the aim of establishing a 10-year plan for encouraging Jewish settlement in the Galilee focused on demographics, land, quality of life, and law enforcement.
Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to do everything in his power to strengthen security and lead a "revolution in settlement" in the Galilee during an emergency conference held by the Forum for Judaizing the Galilee on Sunday.
"The Galilee is not only a national objective - it is a security objective. Strong Jewish settlement in the Galilee is an inseparable part of the resilience and security of the State of Israel," Katz asserted.
"Just as we led an unprecedented revolution in settlement in Judea and Samaria through the establishment of communities and farms, strengthening security, and a determined fight against terrorism - so we will act in the Galilee," he added.
The conference, which was hosted by Karmiel Mayor Moshe Koninsky and called for by Forum for Judaizing the Galilee chair Dr. Ruth Cabasa Abramson, convened with the aim of establishing a 10-year plan for encouraging Jewish settlement, according to a statement released by the forum.
The plan discussed at the meeting focused on four main sectors, including demographics, land, quality of life, and law enforcement.
According to the forum, the demographics aspect of the plan entails supporting urban settlements and "communities that preserve a Jewish character and promote a population balance that serves equality and social cohesion in Israel."
To make land available for the establishment of potential settlements, the forum called for a campaign against illegal construction, the expansion of mandates and budgets for construction authorities, and the reexamination of construction plans in the Arab sector in light of updated data.
The plan also outlined a framework for improving quality of life and employment opportunities in the region. The forum emphasized that developing transportation infrastructure and attracting employment opportunities in industries, such as high-tech, are essential for attracting new residents.
To ensure that the measures for incentivizing development in the Galilee are protected, the forum detailed potential law enforcement operations aimed at reducing crime in the region.
Such measures include initiating a campaign against illegal firearms and cracking down on organized crime through the establishment of dedicated courts, increasing the number of investigators, and strengthening deterrence against crime.
The forum stated that in order to properly implement the plan, a dedicated coordinating body should be established within the Prime Minister's Office and funding should be ensured for the next ten years.
Abramzon stated that the current situation in the Galilee has "reached a point of no return" and become an emergency.
"If the State of Israel does not come to its senses and prepare a plan for the coming decade that addresses every dimension of the problem, it could… inflict irreversible damage upon itself," she asserted.
"We will strengthen Jewish settlement, invest in infrastructure, and reinforce security," Katz added.
"Our victory will truly be complete when the Galilee prospers, flourishes, and is filled with families, communities, and growth. This is a national objective, and as Defense Minister I will do everything possible, together with the defense establishment, to help achieve it," he vowed.