Neglect of Israel's Bedouin communities could lead to catastrophe, activist warns

Hagai Reznik warns decades of neglect towards Israel’s Bedouin community in the Negev could lead to a catastrophe, citing illegal weapons, crime, and lack of state support as key issues.

Decades of neglect towards Israel's Bedouin community could lead to catastrophe, the Rifman Institute for the Development of the Negev's Hagai Reznik warned on Saturday.

Most of the Bedouin sector is normative, Reznik commented; however, he highlighted major issues, including the tens of thousands of illegal weapons circulating in the community, as well as repeated extortion and crime.

The state "does not understand that their conception of Bedouins in the Negev will explode in the public's face," he warned.

Reznik clarified that his dispute is not with any particular prime minister or government's policy, but with neglect and a lack of understanding from the state as a whole. "Without aggressive treatment with state tools on the issue, including economic development, integration into the workforce, and boundaries and legislative rules being enforced, the situation is becoming a catastrophe."

"Some government ministries are listening, but there is no understanding that this requires inter-ministerial cooperation," he added.

Due to his work at the Rifman Institute, Reznik has worked on plans to promote the Negev and improve the quality of life for both Jewish and Bedouin residents of the region. However, he warned that the "fact that there are 150,000 Bedouins living in tin shacks, while the regulating body has no legal powers, and regulates only a few percent, if any at all, of property claims," is a major issue, which leads to Bedouin settlements suffering from terrible neglect, in his view.

Reznik is also working on an educational program in the community. He argues that many Bedouin students do not study in the Israeli education system, which widens the gap between the communities.

He accuses the state of being at fault for this, alleging that "Instead of fostering quality Israeli education for integration into society, there is a lack of significant economic encouragement and encouragement of serious crime. Instead of the necessary searches and administrative detention needed for illegal weapons."

Over 100,000 illegal weapons, firearms

The presence of over 100,000 illegal weapons and firearms, according to the Rifman Institute's estimates, means that criminals in the region are almost as well armed as Israel Police's Southern District. "This endangers everyone, both Jewish residents and the majority normative Bedouin population," Reznik warned.

"The Negev is already paying a price and will continue to pay a heavy price. This will also harm central Israel, let's not be mistaken," he continued.

"Most of the Bedouin residents are law-abiding and amazing people, but the balance will be disrupted if the neglect continues. We are one step away from there," he added.

Those among Reznik's Bedouin friends who speak out against the state's neglect feel like they cannot do so under fear of being threatened, he claimed.