Thousands of letters said sent to ministry opposing move to retroactively legalize homes built on Galilee grazing land

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel reports that some 12,420 letters have been sent to the Agriculture Ministry opposing a draft order that aims to retroactively legalize dozens of residential buildings built illegally on grazing land in the Galilee in northern Israel.

Jewish-owned farms in the country’s north and south, which is home to large populations of Arabs, including Bedouin, are seen by many people on the right as desirable bulwarks against Arab residential and agricultural expansion.

The draft order aims to approve buildings on seven large farms in northern Israel, defining them as essential for flock protection. The total land area in question — more than 51,000 dunams (12,600 acres) — is equivalent to that covered by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality.

The SPNI says it includes nature reserves, national parks, and forests, as well as areas designated by planners as highly environmentally sensitive.

“This mass mobilization is the ultimate proof of the resilience of our people and their deep love for the country,” says an SPNI statement. “Even in these complex days, we are not willing to abandon nature – the place that gives us air to breathe, a connection to our roots, and a little sanity.”

The draft order, issued earlier this month, is based on the Law for Regulating Residences in Grazing Areas, passed last year at the initiative of the Settlement and National Missions Ministry, which is run by the far-right Religious Zionism lawmaker Orit Strock.

It was publicized at 8:30 p.m. on a Thursday night and initially gave the pubic just four days to comment on it — including two days over the weekend. Following a protest, the response time was increased to 21 days.

The law names the Agriculture Ministry as the body authorized to issue building permits.