Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality
פורום דו-קיום בנגב לשוויון אזרחי
منتدى التعايش السلمي في النقب من أجل المساواة المدنية

15 Bedouin Citizens were Arrested for Protesting Appropriation of their Land

28.02.2021

On February 22nd, a State operation of land ploughing of 2,800 dunams reached the villages of al-Ġarrah, Al-Ruʾays and Saʿwah. Residents of nearby villages and supporters participated in a demonstration, calling for recognition of their villages, and requesting the State to stop demolitions and ploughing of lands. The operation was accompanied by large police forces who violently arrested those trying to prevent the tractors from ploughing their soils and from cutting off a pipe providing drinking water for the residents.

During the demonstration, 11 people including a minor were arrested and detained in a police vehicle from the morning hours until the evening without any food or water. Four other protesters were arrested in the afternoon and taken to the police station. Towards the evening, 11 of the protesters were released, one of them was released by the Court the following day, while three still remain in custody.

We call on the State to halt the eviction policy and violence towards the Arab Bedouin citizens and recognize their Land and Human Rights.

Continue reading a communication sent by NCF and HRDF

Photo and video by Ella Gil from Sikkuy, Naqab, 22.2.2021