Bedouin memorial ceremony today
Hagai Aharon
'Bedouins only good in uniform'
Claims of ongoing discrimination by government accompany Monday's memorial ceremony for fallen Bedouin soldiers
On Israel's 59th Memorial Day for
its fallen soldiers, some in the Bedouin community point a finger at the state and its leaders, saying the decreasing numbers of Bedouins serving in the military is a result of the country's failure to integrate Bedouins into Israeli society.
"A good Bedouin soldier is one in uniform, not one that has finished his service and goes back to being just another Arab", Hassan Al-Hayeb, head of the Bet-Zarzir local council, told Ynet in a memorial service held Monday for fallen Bedouin soldiers.
Throwing their fate with that of Israel even before its establishment, the Bedouin community lost 163 of its sons since 1948, and the community prides itself on its high enlistment numbers, always as volunteers.
"This is our country and we must keep serving it", said Al-Hayeb. "We have always done so willingly, never asking for land in return. It is a shame the country has chosen not to integrate us in society. A young Bedouin soldier can command troops, but cannot be an executive in Israeli society".
The number of Bedouins joining the army has decreased over the last few years. "You can't argue with facts," said chairman of Bedouin Yad-Lebanim (memorial organization) chairman Ziad Saadi, Monday. "The state doesn't take care of its veterans, and doesn't provide them with equal employment opportunities".
These feelings are shared by members of the bereaved families. "We are equal only when in uniform", said Phathi Ha'riv, a veteran who lost his uncle in Lebanon, and whose sons all served in the military.
Education Minister Yuli Tamir, who represented the government in Monday's memorial ceremony, said she was no stranger to these sentiments. "I'm not surprised. This is a familiar problem which must be addressed at its root. We want our Bedouin sons to continue enlisting in the army. They are fine soldiers. Making them feel as equals is our true test".
