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The Only Democracy? » Entries tagged with "Bedouin"

7 hours ago in Al Arakib

By Yeela Raanan It seemed that there were “red lines” even for the police brutality against the Bedouins of the Israeli Negev – while destroying homes that had no possibility for acquiring building permits, arresting people on their village lands in order to make room for JNF trees, beating activists who dared request to see the official papers allowing the brutality – all that seemed to be “ok”. but until today – even for the police – the cemetery and the people waiting in the cemetery for the police to leave – were off limits. no more. After destroying the tents of the village – yet again, the JNF (yes!) bulldozer approached the gate of the cemetery attempting to run it down and destroy it.this was too much for the village people, who are sitting in their community’s … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Exclusive Interview: Village demolished for the 9th Time for JNF forests

Exclusive Interview: Village demolished for the 9th Time for JNF forests

By Jesse Bacon Bulldozers from the Israel Land Administration  demolished the Bedouin village for Al-Arakib for the ninth time yesterday and today. They also demolished the village’s olive groves the week of Tu Bshvat, which celebrates the flowering of trees, so the Jewish National Fund can plant  a forest named after a Fundamentalist Christian TV channel and some foreign ambassadors. The visitors were held in the village’s graveyard while the demolition took place, with much more … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Wave of Israeli demolitions culminates in destroying a mosque: UPDATED with petition

Wave of Israeli demolitions culminates in destroying a mosque: UPDATED with petition

Here is an al Jazeera video of Israel pulling down a mosque in the Jordan Valley village of Khirbat Yarza, Tubas, yesterday morning (deep inside the West Bank). Over 60% of the Jordan Valley in the West Bank is under “Israeli control”, though in practise, all of the Palestinian territories are. But in this case, it means, Palestinians cannot build … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Their First and Last Day of School

Their First and Last Day of School

A school in Omer asks two Bedouin students not to come back after their first day of school. Omer is a suburban community near Be’er Sheva, an elite escape in Israel’s destitute south. Of course the golden quote cannot be found in the English Haaretz article, only in the Hebrew one. In the past I have allowed Bedouin students to study at my school with a presumption that if I give them the best possible education they … Read entire article »

Filed under: Discrimination

Israel demolishes entire village for fifth time, immediately after holiday; UPDATED with video

Israel demolishes entire village for fifth time, immediately after holiday; UPDATED with video

From the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality, all photos by Oren Ziv of activestills.org The Bedouin unrecognized village of Al Arakib was demolished this morning for the 5th time,immediately after Eid Al-Fitr (one of the most important Muslim holidays marking the end of Ramadan). The village is located 7 kilometers north of the city of Be’er Sheva, in the Israeli Negev Desert. Dozens of policemen came to the village before dawn to secure the bulldozers … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Two laws for two people in the same Place: Interview with Jordan Valley protest organizer Fathy Khdirat

Two laws for two people in the same Place: Interview with Jordan Valley protest organizer Fathy Khdirat

By Jesse Bacon Interview with Fathy Khdirat,  organizer for Jordan Valley Solidarity. I have just finished reading Grapes of Wrath, this group definitely reminded me of the spirit of Tom Joad. Part I: All his life under occupation, personal and family stories. Part II: A government-made water shortage Part III: What’s so important about the Jordan Valley. Part IV: The destruction of two whole villages. Conclusion: What we can do. … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Interview with Khalil Alamour, organizer of protest at demolished village UPDATED with video

Interview with Khalil Alamour, organizer of protest at demolished village UPDATED with video

By Jesse Bacon I spoke with Khalil Alamour at the protest tent at Al-Araqeeb, the village demolished by Israel this week. Protestors plan to return tomorrow and rebuild it. Here’s video from Max Blumenthal of the subsequent razing of the village for the 3rd time. Sign a petition against these demolitions. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Featured, On The Ground Reports

Daniel Dukarevich: Eyewitness Account of the Razing of Al-Araqeeb: ‘You Will Not Erase It’

Daniel Dukarevich: Eyewitness Account of the Razing of Al-Araqeeb: ‘You Will Not Erase It’

By Daniel Dukarevich. On the ground report from Daniel who was previously interviewed here, reposted from Tikkun Olam. Uprooting the olive trees of Al-Araqeeb Yesterday, Daniel Dukarevich posted an eyewitness account (Hebrew) of the eradication of the Bedouin Negev village of Al-Araqeeb by the Israeli police and military.  It is disturbing and moving and worth reading to learn how this evil decree was implemented: Translation: Dena Shunra I don’t have a fully congruent recollection of this night and this … Read entire article »

Filed under: On The Ground Reports

Alert: Thousands of police evacuating and demolishing the village of El-Araqib in the Israeli Negev

Alert: Thousands of police evacuating and demolishing the village of El-Araqib in the Israeli Negev

by Yeela Raanan. Tuesday, 5:30am Thousands of police are in the village of el-Araqib right now – beginning a mass evacuation, demolition, and erasure of this historical Bedouin village. if you have access to the media, please send them to this village as soon as possible! the village of el-Araqib is between Rahat and Beersheva, and in a location that the Goldberg commission deemed outside of the areas allowed for the Negev Arabs… … Read entire article »

Filed under: Featured, On The Ground Reports

Israeli Activist On Trial For Supporting Bedouin

Israeli Activist On Trial For Supporting Bedouin

A thank you from Yeela Raanan of the RCUV (Regional Council of Unrecognized Villages.) I was taken to court yesterday for sitting in a home in an unrecognized Bedouin village, as the bulldozer was at the wall – ready to demolish the house. The police carried me out of the home and arrested me, and a couple of years later – I was put on trial for “disrupting a policeman”. We gathered – about 40 of … Read entire article »

Filed under: Human Rights Activists in the Crosshairs