Bedouins: We will not give Bibi's dogs our lands

Negev Bedouins protest in Jerusalem over government's plan to implement Prawer committee recommendations for regularization of communities. PMO: Plan offers a fair compromise

Omri Efraim |Published: 12.11.11 , 17:56

Some 4000 Bedouins from the Negev held a demonstration in front of the Prime minister's Office in Jerusalem on Sunday, protesting over the adoption of the Prawer Committee's recommendations for the regularization of Bedoin settlements in the Negev by the government.

The protestors, including Israeli Arabs, waved signs that read "No to the displacement, yes to recognition" and called out: "The people demand their lands."

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The protestors claim that the report includes a racist plan that would see tens of thousands of Bedouins displaced from their homes without their consent. The demonstration was secured by massive police forces and some of the protestors waved Palestinian flags and called: "We will not give Bibi's dogs our lands."

הפגנת הבדואים וערביי ישראל מול משרד ראש הממשלה (צילום: גיל יוחנן)

Bedouins protesting in Jerusalem (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Amel Sana al-Hajuj, a member of the campaign for the struggle of the Negev Arabs and a resident of Kfar Lakia told Ynet: "The government means to turn the report into law within 45 days. That makes us criminals."

"The government treats the Bedouin residents of the Negev from the security paradigm of a 'demographic threat' and, against the recommendations of Justice Goldberg, refuses to treat us like equal citizens. The moment they say we won't live west of route 40, the government's strategy is clear."

According to Sheikh Hamed abi-Dabes, the head of the southern region Islamic Movement faction, the plan "includes the displacement of over 10 towns and tens of thousands of residents and we demand its immediate annulment, and at the same time, government recognition of the towns and their development."

He stressed that the Bedouins would not give up and would use any democratic means to stop the program. He also called on the government "not to drag us into taking steps we do not wish to take."

רוצים יחס שוויוני מהממשלה. הפגנת הבדואים (צילום: גיל יוחנן)

El-arakib residents at the protest (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

The Prime Minister's Office said in response that "The plan for the regularization of Bedouin settlements in the Negev was meant to promote the integration of Bedouin citizens into the development boom that the Negev is set to undergo in the upcoming years, and increase their share in the expected prosperity.

"The plan offers a fair compromise over the land as well as planning future settlements through dialogue while offering permanent residency for most of the population in the same place or nearby.

"The plan includes unprecedented investment in development and economic growth and is based on the Goldberg Committee report that heard claims from hundreds of Bedouins. In fact two members of the committee were Bedouins," said the PMO.

"Moreover, within the framework of the plan, the government has recently launched a plan to listen and collect information from the Bedouin population on their reaction to the plan. The plan is led by Minister Benny Begin who was appointed by the prime minister. This move will include dozens of meetings in the Negev where those seeking to influence the plan can present their case."