The Knesset decided Wednesday to take a bill proposed by MK Muhammad Barake (Hadash): Ask social and worker and a lawyer before evicting Arab-Bedouins.
The bill’s author notes that the destruction of Arab-Bedouin homes causes Bedouin families much distress. Therefore it recommends that in every case of possible demolition as a result of a legal process against Bedouin, the court will hear the opinion of a social worker, a lawyer and a statement from the Authority for Regularization of Bedouin Settlement in the Negev, regarding an alternative location for the Bedouin to live in. Thirty one MKs voted in favor of turning the bill into a motion for the agenda and one voted against it. It will go to the Interior Committee for discussion.
Demonstration against the Praver plan and the new bill, Beer Sheva, January 25, 2012 (Photo: Co-existence Forum in the Negev)
And more: “The bill’s main aim is to force the Bedouin to give up the little land they are still holding onto. In order to do so, the bill spells out an intense, violent and destructive process, utilizing family pressure, bulldozers, and incarceration. The bill is written in a confusing manner, so that the majority of the Bedouin community is incapable of even understanding what the government is putting before them. Ironically, they are expected to give their comments via the web. And the government is spending a very large amount of money in order to send emissaries to “convince” the Bedouin that accepting this bill is in their benefit. At the same time the media is cooperating with the government and remaining silent regarding all protests and criticisms against this dangerous bill. Thus, the two amazing demonstrations of the Bedouin – of over 10,000 in Beer Sheva and another 6,000 in Jerusalem was not covered by the Hebrew media. The media machine the government is utilizing of course also covers the Jewish community, so that even the friends of the Bedouin do not understand why the Bedouin community is not accepting this new bill with open hands”…
What can you do to help?
Dr. Raanan recommended: “Help spread this information. Since the Bedouin are a weakened community, the government of Israel feels it can do anything it wishes to this community, and no one will care. Let’s show them we care! And start bombarding the government officials with your faxes, emails, phone calls… Here are the important figures right now:”
Minister Binyamin Begin. He is the person the gov’t assigned to listen to the community and make amendments to the bill according to the needs of the community. (Unfortunately, all he is doing is trying to convince the Bedouin that this is the best deal for them and they must join the process, and officially forgo their land claims…) Email: bbegin@knesset.gov.il ; Tel: 02-6408022, 02-6703382; Fax: 02-6703386
Yehuda Bahar, the one in charge of implementing the plan, head of the Authority for the settlement of the Bedouin. Tel: 08-6268735; Fax: 08-6268729; Email: YehudaB@moch.gov.il
Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, tel: 02-6705512; fax: 02- 5664838
The Israeli Ambassador in your area.
Your Ambassador in Israel.
For more information: Dr. Yeela Raanan, negevbedouin@gmail.com
Related:
Petition stop persecuting the Arab bedouins in Israel
Hundreds protest Aarab Bedouin relocation plan in Beer-Sheba
