Slippery Slope

The Government has approved a proposal for the regulation of Bedouin settlements in the Negev, including alterations by Minister Benny Begin to the original plan. The proposal’s goal was to bring about an end to Bedouins’ ownership claims over Negev lands, all the while offering a compensation plan and practical solutions that would appease the Bedouins and bring an end to illegal construction. Head of the Council of Unrecognized Villages, Ibrahim Al-Valkili, said: “I would prefer they amend the current proposal instead of authorizing it as is. There are many articles that we’re uncomfortable with. Our position was that we should be partners in this process, as it deals with land, compensation and moving people from one place to another.” (Ynetnews)

(Hebrew – Ynet)

While the law for regulating Bedouin communities in the  Negev is still in the process of preparation by Minister Benny Begin (Likud) and Knesset committees, and will probably be presented only at the end of the summer due to pending High Court of Justice pleas, the government is already preparing to implement it. A month ago the border committee of the Ministry of the Interior discussed the new borders of Bedouin communities in preparation for the new regulation – authorising some communities, and removing residents of others to approved towns. The EU has issued an unprecedented resolution calling on Israel to withdraw the Bedoin regulation plan, called the Prawer plan.

(Hebrew)

According to a proposal brought before the government today, within a few months a caravan site should be set up in the settlements of Adam, for the evicted residents of the outpost of Migron. Meanwhile, another temporary site will be prepared in “Vineyard Hill”, a site in the settlement of Kochav Yaakov, near Migron. The proposal was finalized by Minister of Housing and Construction Ariel Atias  (MK, Shas) and minister Benny Begin (MK, Likud).

(Hebrew)

Representatives of Negev Bedouins and human rights organizations approached Minister Benny Begin (Likud), responsible for the government’s bill for Resolving Bedouin residency in the Negev, and asked for more time to submit objections to the bill. The bill was formally published in January, but it only appeared on the Prime Minister’s site in Hebrew. Most Bedouin villages in the Negev have no electricity and no internet access. Printed booklets with Arabic translation of the proposal were only distributed in mid-February.

(Hebrew)

Minister Benny Begin (Likud) has been quoted as one of the sources who transferred information to settlers about IDF movements in preparation for the possible dismantlement of outposts in the West Bank.

(Hebrew)