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The Struggles of the Bedouin Community in Israel Amidst Conflict

Explore the challenges faced by the Bedouin community in Israel as they navigate life amidst ongoing conflicts. This insightful article delves into their struggles, cultural resilience, and the impact of socio-political dynamics on their way of life.

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The Plight of the Bedouin Community in Israel

Farhan al-Qadi, who was rescued from southern Gaza on Tuesday, hails from the Bedouin community, an Arab group that has faced marginalization in Israel. This community experienced significant losses during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, with at least 17 Bedouin individuals killed, including some victims of Hamas rocket fire, and eight others taken hostage. Despite these tragic events, the Bedouin’s struggles have largely gone unnoticed, shedding light on their peripheral status within Israeli society.

Tens of thousands of Bedouin reside in unrecognized villages scattered across the Negev desert, a stark and arid expanse that borders Gaza and stretches through southern Israel. These communities have long endured a lack of essential services, such as running water, electricity, and adequate infrastructure. While Jewish communities in the region can typically seek refuge in bomb shelters during Hamas rocket attacks, many Bedouin villages lack such life-saving facilities, leaving them particularly vulnerable.

Mr. al-Qadi’s formal residence is in Rahat, a township established by Israel for the Bedouin population. However, his actual home is situated in an unrecognized village, as noted by Fayez Abu Suheiban, a relative and former mayor of Rahat. At the time of his abduction, Mr. al-Qadi was employed as an unarmed security guard at a kibbutz in southern Israel, highlighting the community’s integration into the broader workforce despite their ongoing challenges.

Historically, the Bedouin were a seminomadic group, deeply connected to their land and traditions. However, following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, many were either forcibly removed from the Negev desert or fled to different regions. Those who remained were concentrated in a smaller area, with Israeli authorities establishing seven townships for them. This effort, as noted by Israeli experts, aimed to corral a society that values independence into the confines of a modern nation-state. Presently, there are approximately 300,000 Bedouin living in the Negev, with a significant portion being under the age of 18. Notably, about one-third of this population resides in the unrecognized villages, where they continue to face numerous challenges.

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