Jews, Bedouins protest Negev evacuation
Hundreds demonstrate against plans to evacuate members of Tarabin tribe from homes to make way for New Omer neighborhood, carry signs saying 'We are residents of the Negev too' and 'Shame on the police'
Some 200 Bedouin and Jewish residents of Omer and surrounding Negev communities on Friday protested against attempts to evacuated members of the Tarabin tribe from the land they live on, earmarked for constructing the "New Omer" neighborhood for IDF career officers.
The protesters met near the Tarabin mosque, and from there began marching towards the main road carrying signs saying, "We are residents of the Negev too", "Shame on (Omer head Pini) Badash and the police", and "My home is in danger, citizenship without honor."
Police have deployed large forces to maintain order in the area.
The demonstrators are also protesting the constant heavy police presence in the area, which they say disrupts the daily lives of the remaining members of the tribe.
Most of the residents moved to "New Tarabin" near Rahat a few years ago as part of a settlement and compensation agreement. The remaining few dozen families refused to be removed.
"These are people who haven't harmed anyone," Omer resident Professor Oren Yiftachel told Ynet.
Yiftachel arrived at the demonstration in show of solidarity with his neighbors and said, "The State gave them these lands and now, so that Omer can build another villa neighborhood, they are going to throw them out just because they are Arabs.
"This is a population that is being transferred. Would there ever be a situation in which they would try to evacuate a Jewish community in the Negev?" he said.
Hagit Beck, also from Omer, said she doesn't understand why she and the Tarabin members can't just be neighbors. "I want them to be residents of Omer, for us to have the same HMO.
"I'm not afraid of them, why shouldn't their kids be with my kids? We must stop fostering this demon that all Bedouins are lawbreakers."
'Police abuse us'
During the protest, one of the demonstrators said, "We just want to live like human beings, we can be a part of Omer. Why can't the council head tolerate us? These people are just like him."
Abed Tarabin, one of the leaders of the rally, said they were also protesting against the police's conduct, which he said has made residents' lives unbearable. "We feel as though we are not part of the State. The police abuse us, carry out searches at night, and frighten the children," he said.
Residents of the new neighborhood, on the other hand, had trouble understanding what all the commotion was about. "I bought land here, and any one of them can buy land in Omer as well," local resident Shlomo told Ynet as he watched the protest with other residents.
"Can anyone who puts up a tin hut and a tent declare that the land is theirs? There are State laws,'" he added.
Avi, who was also watching the protest from the sidelines with his daughter, said, "They were offered a good enough settlement. Most of the tribe has already moved. Now they are just trying to take advantage of the situation to get more money."
A number of incidents suspected of being related to the evacuation plans have occurred recently, including Omer Council head Pini Dabash's private jet being broken into, and an electricity room being set on fire, causing several blackouts.
A number of tractors arriving at the site to make preparations for the construction were also set on fire, and four contractors were scared off the job by threats. These incidents caused police to increase activity in the area.
