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

On the 6th of September 2016 a vigil was held in al-Grīn against the upcoming close of route 31- the only route leading to the unrecognized village Khirbit Ḥūrah. Netivei Israel- National Transport Infrastructure Company LTD plans to block access to the road on September 23rd in order to perform re-construction work there, leaving the residents of Khirbit Ḥūrah without access in or out of the village. Among other things, the road to Al-Amal school will be closed, adding another barrier to Bedouin children’s access to education.

Despite the fact that the company was well aware before caring out the works that “Many Bedouin population centers exist along the route, some in regulated settlements and some in sporadically” (from their website) no steps were considered to allow the residents and pupils an alternative route to reach their houses nor classes.

Once again we ask- on who’s expense are we developing the Negev?