The United Arab Emirates said Thursday it is backing a new cultural‑heritage initiative in Israel’s Negev Desert, aimed at preserving Bedouin Arab traditions — including reintroducing camel racing festivals — in cooperation with local Bedouin communities and the town of Arad.
According to a post from the UAE Embassy in Israel, the project aims to safeguard the customs and way of life of the Negev’s Bedouin population. The plan is to build a cultural route incorporating historic sites and a camel‑racing track — a traditional activity in the region — and to promote the area’s heritage for future generations.
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UAE Ambassador Mohamed Al Khaja (third from right) and Arad Mayor Yair Maayan (center) pose with Bedouin camel racing leaders during a meeting at the Emirati embassy in Tel Aviv, Nov. 27, 2025
(Photo: from X)
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UAE Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al Khaja (center right) meets with Arad Mayor Yair Maayan (center left) and Bedouin camel racing leaders at the Emirati embassy in Tel Aviv, Nov. 27, 2025
(Photo: from X)
Ambassador Mohamed Al Khaja met with the mayor of Arad and a delegation of Bedouin elders during a visit south, where the trio laid the groundwork for the initiative. Photographs released by the embassy show Emirati officials with Bedouin community leaders and local municipal representatives, marking their commitment to reviving Bedouin culture.
“This project aims to strengthen Arab heritage, preserve ancient Bedouin traditions and ensure the continuity of this cultural legacy for future generations,” the embassy said in a statement accompanying the photos.
Israel's first state-sponsored camel race in Negev desert, November 2024
(Video: Danny Schectman, Oren Alon)
Israel hosted its first state‑sponsored camel race in November 2024 — a landmark event that transformed a long‑standing informal tradition into a regulated sport under government oversight. The race drew thousands of spectators from across the country and was hailed by regional leaders as a unifying celebration of Bedouin heritage.