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

CALL FOR ACTION: Stop JNF from Foresting over Bedouin Villages

06.05.2012

Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR) has launched a letter-writing campaign, urging the Jewish National Fund (JNF/KKL) to stop foresting over Bedouin villages in the Negev. In particular, the JNF is working to build a forest over the unrecognized Bedouin village of Al Arakib, which has been demolished 34 times since July 2010. JNF bulldozers have been seen on village lands as recently as April 29, preparing the ground for planting.

In a sample letter, to be sent to JNF Chairman of the Board of Directors, Efi Stenzler, RHR writes:

“At the end of April 2012, KKL-JNF equipment arrived in Al-Arakib and began preparing a plot of land for planting that is currently under legal dispute in the Israeli courts. This is after KKL-JNF already began work earlier this spring on another plot of land in Al-Arakib that is due to be adjudicated in Israel’s High Court in December 2012…

I call on you to exert your influence to see that KKL-JNF does not plant on disputed land in Al-Arakib before a final decision has been delivered in the Israeli courts. I urge KKL-JNF to find ways to develop the Negev that do not involve foresting over Bedouin villages or disputed Bedouin land.”

For more information, and to support the campaign, click here.

TAKE ACTION: Demand that KKL-JNF ends its forestation on the remains of demolished Bedouin villages and disputed Bedouin land.