40% of Israeli settlers in the North not to return even if war ends

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
31 May 2024 17:30
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A recent study conducted by Tel Hai Academic College in "Israel" sheds light on the challenges faced by evacuees from northern settlements amid the ongoing war.

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Israeli occupation security forces examine the site in the Kiryat Shmona settlement hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon, northern occupied Palestine, on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. (AP)

A new study conducted by Tel Hai Academic College in "Israel" revealed that around 40% of evacuees from the settlements in northern occupied Palestine are contemplating not returning even after the war ends.

Since October 8, the Lebanese Resistance movement - Hezbollah has fired thousands of rockets, anti-tank missiles, and drones from Lebanon toward settlements and military outposts in the Upper al-Jalil and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

These daily attacks have caused extensive damage to housing units, buildings, and infrastructure, significantly undermining the security of many settlers. In response, the Israeli government evacuated numerous settlers shortly after the war on Gaza began, temporarily relocating them to hotels for over seven months.

Dr. Ayala Cohen, head of the college's Knowledge Center that conducted the poll, said, “The residents of the north have to deal with many difficulties of prolonged hotel stays. They are subject to great uncertainty from a security, political, economic, and social point of view.”

Settlers reluctant to return post-war

Two thousand settlers from the al-Jalil region, including both those evacuated by the government and those who left independently, were surveyed on whether they intended to return to their settler communities after the war ended and normalcy resumed.

Forty percent of the settlers evacuated by the state indicated they were considering not returning to their settlement, while only 60 percent said they would return.

Among those who left the settlements independently, 38 percent are considering not returning, with only 62 percent planning to go back.

Ninety percent of settlers who did not evacuate plan to continue living in their locality after the war, but 10 percent are contemplating relocating even after the situation returns to normal.

War with Hezbollah devastates Northern Israeli economy

The Tel Hai poll also highlighted the significant economic damage inflicted on the northern Israeli settlements by Hezbollah's operations.

The study indicated that 73 percent of the self-employed and 39 percent of employees have reported that their economic situation has deteriorated since before October 7. Additionally, 47 percent of the self-employed have experienced a 50 percent drop in their income.

Furthermore, the study revealed that about a third of the self-employed and around a fifth of the employees are contemplating permanently relocating their activities from the North.

“The findings of the survey are difficult and alarming,” stressed Dr. Cohen.

“They have not been in their natural environment for eight months. Even the residents of the north who were not evacuated testify to a difficult situation and uncertainty. As time goes by, the security situation in Galilee worsens, and along with it the situation of these residents. The state must urgently establish an administration that will take care of the residents of the north, respond to their needs, and create a clear horizon for their future.”