פורום דו-קיום בנגב לשוויון אזרחי Coexistence Forum For Civil Equality The Negev Coexistence Forum Newsletter 16th Edition, February 2012 Published in Hebrew/Arabic bilingual handout format (see www.dukium.org)

A word from the editor This is the sixteenth edition of the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality’s newsletter. As in previous editions, we have brought to you coverage of the events that have occurred in the Negev over the past few months. Following the decision of the government to accept the Prawer plan, which we reported about in the last newsletter, the Ministry of Justice announced on January 3rd the legal memorandum “Law on the Regulation of Bedouin Settlement in the Negev”. It’s worth noting that the memorandum is vague and cumbersome and that it is not accompanied by a map of the future villages (nor are they referred to at all in the memorandum). Objections to the memorandum can be filed until the 18th of March 2012. You are welcome to keep up to date on the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality website, as well as by way of Facebook and Twitter, where you will also find information on activities and events organized by members of the Forum. We thank the many volunteers that contribute to the activities of the NCF, and those that help to plan, prepare and distribute this newsletter. We hope that reading this newsletter will enrich your knowledge of events in the Negev.

The Policy of Bedouin Home Demolitions in the Negev By Haia Noach The policy of house demolitions 5,000 local residents was transferred of the State of .1 These people has been employed by the various to the towns of Kasifa, Aruar, and cannot build their homes legally, Israeli governments as a means other places. since there is no government policy of concentrating the or building plan within Bedouin in destitute Demolitions, photographed by Yosef Abu-Madigem (age 8) as their villages. The only and neglected towns part of the Negev Coexistence Forum photography workshop, alternative they are where there are no Al-Arakib, January 2011 being offered is to means of earning move to the towns. The a living. Life in increased enforcement these towns is also of these policies and contradictory to the their results in the form Bedouins’ traditional of increased house rural lifestyle. The demolitions are part Israeli government is of the government’s attempting to gather attempts to forcefully the Bedouin in these concentrate the entire towns by employing Bedouin population of various legislative, legal, the Negev in poverty- and administrative stricken, neglected methods. During the towns and to use 1950s, for example, their land for building the army ordered Jewish settlements. An residents of many villages to leave The courts have also been unjust example of this is the plan to build the their historical places of residence, towards the Bedouin in the Jewish settlement of Hiran on land and then confiscated their land Negev. The present government belonging to the unrecognized village through the Land Acquisition Law is employing policies similar to of Um al Hiran, the plan to plant of 1953. previous governments of withholding forests on the land belonging to the services and infrastructures such as villages of Al-Arakib and Twayil Abu The Bedouins’ living space in the water, electricity, health care, and Jarwal, as well as plans to develop Negev has also been reduced by education. This policy is designed industry and pave roads. various legislations such as the to force residents of the villages to Planning and Construction Law and move to the towns. House demolitions are an infringement the Land Acquisition Law of 1981. 1 These numbers are derived from This law was also known as “the The policy of home demolition is perhaps the worst of these actions. publications of the Central Bureau of Peace Law”, since the Bedouin were Statistics, but apparently do not reflect required “to pay the price of peace” This policy constitutes the threat of destruction of the unrecognized the exact number of residents, many with Egypt. An area of approximately of whom are registered in existing or 80,000 dunams (20,000 acres) at Tel- villages and the eviction of 53,000 Bedouin residents – who are citizens planned towns in order to allow them Malchata was confiscatedby means to vote in local elections or for other of this law, and the population of reasons. Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality P.O. Box 130, Omer 84965, Israel Phone: 050-7701118/9 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.dukium.org The Policy of Bedouin Home Demolitions in the Negev (continued from page 1) upon basic human rights and violate that dealt with the right to housing homes in the Negev. The objective the right to shelter, housing, and among the Arab Bedouin in the Negev, of the plan, as stated in the outline, suitable living conditions that is and presented a follow-up of home is to bring about an “end” to the granted by the United Nations demolitions in the Negev. This year land conflictsbetween the Bedouin Universal Declaration of Human the findings are more serious than and the state within five years, but Rights. The policy of home demolitions those of last year, and are evidence if the plan is implemented it will is a racist policy, devoid of any of continued violation throughout cause only chaos and deepen the long-range chances of success, the year of the basic rights of the conflict between the Bedouin and and is harming the fabric of life in Bedouin living in the Negev. The the government. the Negev. 2011 report shows that there was During the month of November state a sharp increase in the number of Thousands of policemen and members representatives implemented two demolitions of homes belonging to of special forces participate in these campaigns that were unprecedented the Bedouin residents of the Negev. demolitions. Violence is often used, in their expanse. One was called During 2010 approximately 456 and families are left without shelter “Firm Arm” and took place at the houses were demolished, while during the cold winter and the beginning of November and involved 1,000 homes were demolished hot summer months. The choice the demolition of 33 homes. The between January and the beginning of the government to employ the other was called “Guardian of the of December in 2011 – an increase of mechanism of house demolition Negev” and involved the demolition 120%. This number does not include instead of negotiations or dialogue of 22 homes. We need not dwell on the houses that were demolished leaves thousands of men, women, the significance of the names of by state representatives during the and children with severe mental these campaigns, but it should be month of December. scars and a deep mistrust of the noted that during each one state state system that is supposed to The new Prawer-Amidror outline plan, representatives threatened home protect their rights. which the government approved in owners that they would be fined the September 2011 and which will be cost of the demolitions. Consequently, The Negev Coexistence Forum for brought for legislation in the current 45% of the homeowners demolished Civil Equality published a report Knesset session, is liable to result their homes themselves. for the second consecutive year in the increased demolitions of Arab

A Review of News in the Negev, October 2011 – January 2012 On October The photographs are accompanied by quotations as well as the fact that we actively recruit a broad October 2011 4th activists from various United Nations Committees regarding spectrum of voices, including Bedouin women and demonstrating against the Prawer-Amidror Plan the Bedouin in the Negev. Arab and Jewish students from the Ben Gurion received orders to dismantle their protest tent. University of the Negev. . The tent was set up opposite the offices of the On October 15th activists from the Negev Administration for Arrangement of Bedouin Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality joined During the month of October Michal Rotem, head Settlements in Be’er Sheva on September 20th residents of the village of Al-Arakib in protest co-ordinator of the Negev Coexistence Forum, and was manned by organizations and movements activities against the Prawer-Amidror Plan at participated in a delegation to the United States of residents of the Negev. An appeal of the orders the Junction. The junction was filled together with Rawia Aburabia from the Association was submitted by the Association for Human with signs protesting the program, and flyers for Human Rights, Hanan Al Sana from Sidra, Rights and an agreement was reached allowing were distributed to passers-by. and Ta’abat Abu RaRass from Adalah. During the the tent to remain until October 25th. two week visit the delegation met with American On October 25th members of the Negev Arab leaders, religious communities, and the media. On October 6th 2,500 Jews and Arabs participated Steering Committee held a series of demonstrations The delegation explained the complex situation in a demonstration organized by the Governing against the Prawer-Amidror Plan at various that existed in the Negev, the opposition of the Committee of the Arabs in the Negev against the junctions throughout the Negev. Activists from Bedouin community to the Prawer Plan, and the Prawer-Amidror Plan. The plan calls for evicting the Negev Coexistence Forum joined residents of difficult situation ofthe village of Al-Arakib that and uprooting 30,000 Bedouin Arabs from their Al-Arakib at the demonstration at the Lehavim was demolished by the state. villages and gathering them into urban settlements. Junction. The demonstrators shouted slogans such as “There In October 2011 the Forum is no such thing as ‘unrecognized villages’”, “Social was awarded the Miriam justice for Bedouin in the Negev”, and “Stop house Fligelman Levy Cross demolitions.” Numerous organizations, including Cultural Prize awarded the Negev Coexistence Forum, took part in the by the New Israel Fund. demonstration. The prize was awarded The Interfaith calendar published by the Negev to the Negev Coexistence Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality was launched Forum for activities on October 8th. This year’s calendar features conducted throughout photographs taken by children from the unrecognized this year. The NIF noted the village of Al-Arakib during a photography workshop mutual respect and deep that took place in the village. The workshop was commitment to the cause that exists between our American women group during a field trip sponsored by the Negev Coexistence Forum in at the village of Al-Arakib, 13.11.2011 cooperation with Jewish and Arab photographers. Jewish and Arab members 2 What’s new in the Negev (cont.)

An exhibit of On December 6th November photographs taken the Association for by children from the village of Al-Arakib opened on Civil Rights and the November 14th in the Municipality Building of the Bimkom Organization Second Quarter in Paris. The photographs were appealed to the Prime taken by children participating in a photography Minister and the workshop conducted by the Forum. Aziz Abu- Government Legal Mediam, a resident of Al-Arakib, and one of the Advisor about the leading activists in the struggle of Al-Arakib, traveled government decision to Paris with the exhibit and explained about the of October 30th, village’s determined struggle. The photographs 2011 regarding the were also exhibited in other cities in France “establishment of a series of settlements During the month of November Halil Alamour, a in the area of Mevo’ot resident of the village of Alsira and a member of Arad.” They requested The children of Al-Arakib with the new drums during the weekly protest of the village, 12.18.2011 the board of directors of the Negev Coexistence that the decision to Forum, participated in a meeting of the United establish ten new On December 11th A large demonstration took place, Nations Committee for Economic, Social, and settlements on approximately 180,000 dunams to protest the Prawer Plan that is designed to evict Cultural Rights that was held in Geneva. Khalil (45,000 acres) between Meitar and Arad be 30,000-40,000 Bedouins from their villages. The Alamour read the organization’s statement dealing revoked. The main argument is that this decision demonstration was held opposite the Prime Minister’s with the problems and challenges that confront the constitutes discriminatory planning regarding office in Jerusalem. Thousands participated in Bedouin residents of the Negev, and emphasized existing Bedouin settlements in the same area, the demonstration and demanded that the plan the intense opposition to the Prawer Plan. and is essentially illegal. They also asked the be revoked and that the Bedouin community be government to take action to make planning and involved in finding a suitable solution. On December 6th municipal arrangements for the unrecognized the court in Kiryat December Bedouin villages in the area. It should be noted Two photography workshops were organized by Gat cancelled demolition orders that were issued that the Director of Information and Research of the Negev Coexistence Forum in two unrecognized in the village of Alsira. The judge quoted Judge the Knesset prepared a document opposing the Bedouin villages at the end of December. A still- Edna Arbel, saying, “The issues that are described decision that will be presented at the cabinet life workshop was held in the village of Alsira in this appeal once again remind all of us of discussion. and a video workshop was held in Al-Arakib something we already know: the difficult reality in cooperation with the village committees and that confronts the Bedouin population in the State On December 7th Att. Sana Ibn-Bari attended the volunteer photographers. The photographs and of Israel obligates an overall, comprehensive and meetings of the EU Parliament in Brussels and the videos will be included in exhibitions about the systematic solution, and the sooner the better.” Parliament in London to present the Minority Rights unrecognized villages and house demolitions that The residents of Alsira were represented by Att. Group (NRG) report to the parliament members will be shown in Israel and abroad Suaad Bashara from Adalah. and other interested organizations. Farah Mihlar, a representative of NRG, visited Israel and was a In December the United Nations Committee for guest of the forum. She published a report about Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights published Protest against Prawer plan in the Bedouin in the Negev with emphasis upon the front of the Prime Minister’s office its final conclusions about Israel. Among other in Jerusalem 11.12.2011 unrecognized villages. things, the committee referred to the Prawer Plan in Section 27 of its conclusions. The committee On December 9th The Negev Coexistence Forum voiced its concern regarding the report, and published a report in commemoration of International recommended that the State of Israel ensure that Human Rights Day. The report dealt with the right “implementation of the plan should not result in to housing of the Bedouin in the Negev, and focused forced eviction of the Bedouin.” The committee upon the policy of house demolitions employed by also recommended that Israel officially recognize the government. This policy has reached a peak the unrecognized villages, cease house demolitions with the demolition of 1,000 homes in the Negev in the villages, and allow the Bedouin to enjoy during the past year. the right to suitable housing. On December 9th residents of Al-Arakib and members of the Negev Coexistence Forum participated in the march for human rights held in Tel Aviv. During the march the residents and activists On December 6th representatives of the Negev carried large cardboard Coexistence Forum, Adalah, and the Council of replicas of a house and Unrecognized Villages met with representatives bulldozer in protest of various foreign embassies in Israel at the of the demolitions of home of the Swiss ambassador. They informed Bedouin homes in the ambassadors of the current situation in the Negev and the the Negev. Haia Noach, director of the forum, continuing destruction spoke about the continued problem of planting of the village of Al- Protesting in front of the JNF-KKL offices in Jerusalem demanding forests that are designed to deprive the Bedouin Arakib. to stop the dispossession through forestation, 01.29.2012 of their land. 3 What’s new in the Negev (cont.) On January times. The objective of January 2012 2nd the the visit was to express Bimkom and Adalah organizations submitted solidarity with the struggle opposition to the Yatir forest plan in the name of of the village residents, who dozens of residents of the unrecognized Bedouin have rebuilt their homes village of Atir. The plan calls for the demolitions again and again after each of the homes within the village and for planting a demolition and continued forest on the land. The 500 residents of the village their determined struggle were transferred to the site in 1948. against the destructive policy of the State of On January 3rd the government legal advisor Israel and the Jewish published a memorandum regarding the bill for National Fund, who are Prop. Rachel Rolnik, UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing implementation of the Prawer Plan for Arrangement planting a forest on the during a visit in the village of Al-Arakib, 02.08.2012 of Bedouin settlements in the Negev. A period of land belonging to the one and a half months ending on February 16th village. has been allotted for submitting opposition to the Al-Arakib memorandum and a “ process of listening.” February On February 8th, The UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Members of the Negev Coexistence Forum have On January 23rd members of the Adalah Prop. Rachel Rolnik, visited the Negev area. The joined residents of the village of Al-Arakib in their Organization and the Negev Coexistence Forum Special Rapporteur visited the village of Al-Arakib weekly protest vigil each Sunday since August held a meeting with representatives from the which was demolished by the state of Israel more of 2010. European Union and informed them of current than 30 times and heard about the situation in developments in the Negev. The Negev Coexistence Forum has been operating the village from the Sheikh of the village, Sheikh a study center in the village of Al-Arakib for the On January 26th a large protest rally against the Sayakh Al-Turi. The Rapporteur promised to report past five months. The center is open four days memorandum of the Prawer Plan Bill was held about the situation and to publish a detailed each week for three hours. Members of the Negev in front of the government offices in Be’er Sheva. report about the Negev. Later the Rapporteur Coexistence Forum visit Al-Arakib at least three Approximately 1,000 people attended. participated in an experts meeting with different times each week to remain informed and to Negev experts which presented the problems rise encourage the residents in their struggle. The On January 28th a solidarity visit was held at from Prawer plan and the reasons to the objection visitors bring various groups, journalists, and the village of Al-Arakib in protest of the State of to the plan by the community. Israel’s demolition of the village more than 30 photographers.

Please recognize - Umm-Batin Yosra Abu-Kaf

Umm-Batin is a village south of Highway permits in the village. The village is a 60 between Omer and Shoket Junction. communal settlement government by The village became recognized in the Abu-Basma local council. 2000. The village has 3,000 residents, from Some of the the Abu-Kef tribe and others, living resident of in several large neighborhoods. the village In the village there is a long-serving lived there elementary school which serves 1,200 since student from kindergarten to 9th grade, ancient and new schools: a middle school and times; high school were opened in 2010, along others were moved there when the with a complex of kindergartens and ruling required the state to build a Bedouin were transferred to the Siyag nursery schools, a clinic and station bridge to enable the children of the area. The biggest tribe in the village for mother and child. The village is village to get to school. Despite a is Abu-Kef, and smaller families are connected to water through a 12-inch purification plant being built next to Abu-Asa, Abu-Sbit and others. In 2005 pipe, from which pipes extend to the the village sewage continues to flow the Interior Minister gave Umm-Batin entire village. There are no electricity, within it, polluting the environment. settlement status, but to this day sewage, or garbage removal services. In In the winter the bridges that connect there is no approved master plan, and 2002 The Negev Coexistence Forum for the village to Highway 60 collapse, as for that reason there are no building Civil Equality, the community council in February 2012. Umm-Batin and Prayer services are conducted in four The Association mosques built by members of the of Forty petitioned community, as are burial services. the High Court of Justice because of What used to be temporary building in the flow of sewage the village, including tin houses and through the middle concrete with tin roofing, has changed of the village. In and become more permanent. Today 2003 the judge’s there are several multistory buildings with concrete or tile roofing. 4 During the past few months the Multaka-Mifgash – the Arab Jewish Cultural Center in Be’er Sheva that is run by the Negev Coexistence Forum – held numerous events, films, and meetings. Eventsduring the month

of December included a film festival entitled “Driving Out Darkness” featuring the films “Rule of Law” and “Martin” directed by Ra’anan Alexandrovich, and Ba’abus and “Untitled” directed by Kaid AbuLtif. Workshops were also held in English and Hebrew about the Bedouin in the Negev that included four meetings each. There was also a festive screening of the film Soumud – The Struggle of Al-Arakib directed by Jillian Kestler-D’Amours featuring residents of Al-Arakib. A panel discussion took place about the Yigal Rambam, Yehuda Alush and Daniel Dor during an event about the future of the social protests during the winter, and we future of the social protest at the Multaka-Mifgash, 11.28.2011 hosted an introductory meeting with the organization “Combatants for Peace”.

Home and building demolition - October 2011 – February 2012

Village Location Buildings demolished Date West of route 40, Between The whole village was demolished Al-Arakib Lehavim and Goral October 5 for the 27th time Junctions Al-Forah South of Arad One house demolished October 5

Hura 3 houses demolished October 27

Kasser A-Sar Next to One house demolished October 27

Khirbet Hura One house demolished October 27 West of road 80 and north Tel Arad One home was demolished October 27 of road 31 Sawa East of Hura and road 316 Two homes were demolished October 27

Al-Qrein West of Hura and road 31 One home was demolished October 27 West of Dimona and road Kassr a-Sir One home was demolished October 27 25 West of route 40, between The whole village was demolished Al-Arakib Lehavim and Goral November 1 for the 28th time Junctions Announced by the Israeli Land 33 structures demolished across Administration November 6 the Negev “Operation Determined Arm” A number of houses demolished by South November 22 their owners Bir Hadaj Next to Revivim One house demolished November 23 West of route 40, Between The whole village was demolished Al-Arakib Lehavim and Goral November 23 for the 29th time Junctions Announced by 21 structures demolished across the Israeli Land November 29 the Negev Administration 5 Home and building demolition - October 2011 – February 2012 (cont.)

Village Location Buildings demolished Date West of route 40, Between The whole village was demolished Al-Arakib Lehavim and Goral December 21 for the 30th time Junctions Atir North-east of Hura Five homes were demolished December 21 West of road 40 in front of Wadi Al-Na’am Ramat-Hovav Industrial One home was demolished December 29 zone North of Rahat Three homes were demolished December 29

Hura One home was demolished January 9 South of road 31 near Alsira One home was demolished January 9 air-base West of route 40, Between The whole village was demolished Al-Arakib Lehavim and Goral January 18 for the 31st time Junctions Segev Shalom One structure demolished January 18 West of route 40, Between The whole village was demolished Al-Arakib Lehavim and Goral February 13 for the 32nd time Junctions A house that had been partly South of road 25 Chasham Zaneh demolished in the past was February 15 Be’er-Sheva - Dimona completely demolished. Sawa East of Hura 1 house was demolished February 15

Membership and Participation in the Forum

The Forum In addition, the Forum needs volunteers to Those who wish to join the Negev Coexistence was first carry out specific roles such as: Forum are encouraged to pay a membership established and still exists as an organization fee as follows: dependent on volunteers and voluntarism: 1) To develop and maintain the Forum’s Individuals - 40 NIS, families - 60 NIS, students citizens who understand that without community website. and others who wish to pay a reduced fee - action and intervention, government policies 2) To translate texts from Hebrew to Arabic and 20 NIS. in the Negev lead to injustice, discrimination English and in the opposite directions. and a depressing future for the Negev and 3) Editor for the Forum Newsletter. * Further information regarding the Negev the country as a whole. The Forum’s goals 4) Members for the Multaka-Mifgash stirring Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality can be are to push equal rights further and forward committee. obtained by contacting one of the contacts and to promote tolerance and coexistence in 5) Investigating ethnic based discrimination at the bottom of the page, or through the the Negev. in working places, services etc. Internet at www.dukium.org. 6) For spokespersons and public relations * We shall be pleased to receive the addresses persons to face the media and general of potential readers of the newsletter, or We invite you to join us to help advance the public. ideas for other subjects considered suitable goals of the Forum as they are outlined in this 7) To co-ordinate volunteers activities. to be included in the newsletter. newsletter. If you are interested in doing so you 8) To co-ordinate Knesset lobbying * If you no longer desire to receive this can participate in any of these above-mentioned activities. newsletter please inform us. activities, even those already underway. The Forum is open and pleased to receive ideas and We would appreciate your support of NCF new initiatives for additional activities. activities. Please send checks to POB. 130, Omer, 84965. The Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality is an independent non-party organization that was established in 1997 by Arabs and Jews - Israeli citizens who live in the Negev-Naqab. The Forum’s aim is to provide a framework for Jewish-Arab co-operation as a basis for a common struggle for equal civil rights and to promote tolerance and coexistence in the Negev. The Forum’s activities are carried out on a voluntary basis, or funded exclusively by private foundations, in particular The New Israel Fund, and donations. These include meetings and social events between the communities, information drives, environment justice campaigns, recognition of the unrecognized Bedouin villages of the Negev, the struggle for employment equality in the Negev and other similar activities.

Editors: Rachel Naparstek, Haia Noach Writing: Michal Rotem Arabic translation: Ratb Abo Krenat Arabic language editor: Naser Abu Srihan English translation: Bracha Ben-Avraham English language editors: Avner Ben-Amos, Dara Levy-Bernstein Graphic design: Marc Marcus

Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality P.O. Box 130, Omer 84965, Israel Phone: 050-7701118/9 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.dukium.org