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)