The Israeli occupation army recently admitted, on Wednesday, December 18th, that Israeli settlers had crossed into southern Lebanon and erected tents with the aim of establishing a Jewish settlement. This acknowledgment came after initial denials of reports that settlers from the “Ori Tsafon” organization had breached the border near the Lebanese town of Maroun al-Ras.
Labeling the incident as a “serious event requiring investigation,” the occupation authorities later revealed that their forces had accompanied settlers while they pitched tents on Lebanese territory. On December 5th, the organization itself posted images showing six families planting trees and setting up tents in Maroun al-Ras, with Israeli soldiers visibly present alongside them. The post boldly declared: “Six settler families from the southern Lebanon settlement movement have arrived to settle in Lebanon.”
This raises critical questions: Who is the “Ori Tsafon” organization, and what are its strategies for expanding occupation through settlement in southern Lebanon?
Who Is “Ori Tsafon”?
Founded in late March, the “Ori Tsafon” organization derives its name from a Torah verse meaning “Awake, O North.” Its mission transcends advocating for war or reoccupation alone—it seeks to establish Israeli settlements in southern Lebanon. The organization has rapidly garnered thousands of supporters, adopting a narrative that portrays Lebanon as a strategic and practical extension of Israel’s territory.
The organization claims that the concept of a “Lebanese state” is artificial, a colonial arrangement between France and Britain to serve their imperial interests. According to their ideology, the current borders between Lebanon and occupied Palestine are invalid and meaningless, rooted in agreements like Sykes-Picot and the Paris Conference, which they dismiss as transient and unworthy of respect.
On their official website, the group asserts that Lebanon remains Israeli land despite past withdrawals and calls for its settlement, equating this with the colonization of Gaza. They argue, “Victory is achieved by seizing land from the enemy—land that belongs to our homeland, whether in Gaza, Lebanon, or the Temple Mount.”
The Roots of “Ori Tsafon”: An Ideology of Expansion
The group was established to honor the memory of Yisrael Sokol, an Israeli soldier killed during the January war on Gaza. Known for his extremist views, Sokol’s aspirations extended beyond Gaza to include settlement in Lebanon. According to his family, Sokol believed controlling Lebanon was vital to fulfilling his vision of a “Greater Israel.”
Speaking to Jewish Currents, Sokol’s brother, Yaakov, recalled, “Yisrael and I would joke about living in Lebanon, but it was always a joke with serious intent. It is the land that should be in our hands.”
Similarly, Sokol’s father expressed during his son’s funeral that true solace would come only when Israel establishes settlements in Gaza, Lebanon, and even east of the Jordan River. Amos Azaria, a prominent advocate of rebuilding settlements in Gaza, attended the funeral, which led to discussions with Sokol’s family about realizing Yisrael’s radical vision. These conversations culminated in the founding of “Ori Tsafon.”
A Dangerous Growth in Influence
Since its inception, the organization has grown rapidly, with over 3,000 members engaging in its official WhatsApp forums. These groups serve as a platform for sharing propaganda, including images of explosions in northern occupied Palestine and Lebanon, alongside criticisms of what they label as the occupation’s “feeble policies” in the region.
Leaders regularly propose renaming Lebanese towns with Hebrew names and promote guided tours into southern Lebanon under the slogan: “This is not a dream; it is reality.”
A Religious Settler Movement
“Ori Tsafon” has combined propaganda campaigns with on-ground activities to promote settlement in southern Lebanon. Efforts include:
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- Posters and Events: Plastering northern cities with posters advocating for Lebanese colonization.
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- Protests and Convoys: Organizing protests, such as an April motorcade from Kibbutz Alonim to the Lebanese border, under the banner “Establish settlements in southern Lebanon to secure the northern settlements.”
Much of the participation stems from the “Nahalah” settler movement, which has similarly orchestrated efforts to resettle Gaza and gained political traction within far-right Israeli parties.
The group’s provocations extend to using drones and balloons to drop leaflets into Lebanese territory, warning: “Beware! This is Israeli land owned by Jews. Vacate it immediately.”
The Ideological Foundation: A Greater Israel
“Ori Tsafon” builds on the Zionist dream of “Greater Israel,” rooted in the claim of a divine promise to Prophet Abraham for lands spanning from the Nile to the Euphrates. Such rhetoric has long justified expansionist projects at the expense of Palestinian and Arab lands.
Prominent Zionist leaders, including David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, openly articulated this vision. In a 1952 speech, Ben-Gurion declared that the borders of Mandate Palestine were merely a starting point for achieving Israel’s “biblical borders.”
Strategy: Settlements as Tools of Expansion
The organization’s strategy revolves around the notion that settlements can redefine borders. Founding member Ben Asher emphasized the necessity of displacing Lebanese residents to secure control. “Victory in the Middle East is about seizing land,” he stated during a conference.
“Ori Tsafon” views the colonization of the Golan Heights as a model for southern Lebanon. Advocates point to Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Syrian villages during the 1967 war, after which the region remained under quiet occupation for decades. Leaders argue this success could be replicated in Lebanon.
The organization draws inspiration from the establishment of the “Merom Golan” settlement in the Golan Heights, initially a small, unofficial initiative. Over time, the Israeli government formally annexed the territory, a move endorsed by the Trump administration in 2019.
Conclusion
“Ori Tsafon” represents an alarming escalation in Israel’s settler-colonial ambitions. While its numbers may currently appear small, history demonstrates how extremist settler movements can force Israeli governments to adopt their agendas. This aligns with the overarching Zionist strategy of expanding territorial control at the expense of indigenous populations.
The group’s activities serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by Israeli expansionism, not only to Palestine but to the entire region. It is crucial to expose and counter these efforts to ensure justice and sovereignty for Lebanon and its people.
