Government to Approve Plan for Development of Bedouin Communities in the Negev
Revolutionary Decision to Address Land Claims
On Sunday, the Israeli government is set to approve a groundbreaking initiative aimed at advancing the development of Bedouin communities in the Negev. The plan, spearheaded by Minister Amichai Shikli, integrates both incentives and penalties to resolve long-standing land ownership disputes that have hindered growth in these communities. This initiative seeks to help Bedouins currently residing in unregulated areas transition to recognized settlements.
Background on Land Ownership Disputes
In the 1970s, the Israeli government allowed Bedouins to formally register claims to land they asserted belonged to their families for generations. However, these claims were submitted without the need for supporting documentation. The state viewed these registrations as mere assertions, while many Bedouins interpreted them as a form of recognition of their historical land claims. Thousands of claims were submitted, covering areas vastly larger than the municipal jurisdiction of Tel Aviv.
Today, approximately 330,000 Bedouins live in the Negev, with around 170,000 residing in unregulated settlements, including 90,000 outside legal areas. Despite the government’s efforts to encourage Bedouins to leave these informal encampments and settle in recognized communities, a significant barrier arises from overlapping land claims. In some instances, these claims occupy between 60% and 80% of a settlement’s territory, preventing others from building or residing on the land.
Even when the government successfully negotiated agreements with some claimants, it found that other Bedouins were reluctant to settle on land previously claimed by others, regardless of any waiver agreements signed with the state.
Proposed Solutions by Minister Shikli
The new proposal outlines a strategy employing both incentives and penalties. Each Bedouin with a claim to land within an organized settlement will receive a limited time frame to negotiate an agreement with the state. If they enter into an accord, the government will recognize part of the land as belonging to them and provide financial compensation. However, the compensation will only be paid once they allow other Bedouins to settle on the released land.
Delay in reaching a settlement will result in decreasing compensation offers from the state over time. Those who refuse to negotiate will find their claims removed from the township planning lines, rendering them effectively valueless. In extreme cases, the government may fully expropriate their land.
The plan aims to facilitate the swift relocation of Bedouins from illegal encampments into the newly available areas within legal settlements. Temporary housing solutions will be provided as permanent planning and construction progress.
Pilot Phase and Community Impact
The initiative will launch as a pilot program in three specific settlements: Kassifa, Mar’it, and Sa’wa, with a strategy for gradual implementation in additional settlements.
Minister Shikli emphasized that the “Blue Lines Reform” aims to tackle challenging land claims, which have long paralyzed development in existing communities. “This reform integrates both positive and negative incentives while delineating a strict timeline for diminishing benefits to encourage claimants to pursue a consensual resolution,” he stated.
Reactions from Community Advocates
The proposal has garnered support from various advocacy groups. Meir Deutsch, CEO of the Regavim movement, praised the initiative, highlighting that it brings real hope after years of unsuccessful attempts to regulate Bedouin settlements without a systematic policy.
The plan represents a significant step toward addressing the unique challenges facing the Bedouin community in the Negev, paving the way for more sustainable development and improved living conditions