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

Invitation to visit: Two Bedouin unrecognized villages in the Israeli Negev-Nagab are under serious demolition threat

09.06.2015

On May 5th, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected a petition made by residents of the unrecognized Bedouin villages of Umm al Hiran and Atir, against the displacement and demolition of their communities. Despite the fact that the residents were transferred to their current location by the Israeli military regime during the 1950s, the ruling dictated that the disputed land belongs to the state and included mass evacuation orders. As a result, both Umm al Hiran and Atir, are under immediate threat.

A planned Jewish town called ‘Hiran’ will be erected upon the remains of the Umm al-Hiran, and the man-made Yatir forest will be expanded upon the ruins of Atir. The previous Bedouin residents will be forcibly relocated to the government-planned town of Hura. This is yet another example of human rights injustices that the Bedouin communities around Israel must contend with.

On Thursday, June 11th ,the Steering Committee of the Arab-Bedouin Community calls will hold a demonstration in Beersheba. At 10:30, a rally will start from the Beersheba market towards Kiryat HaMemshala (in front of Beersheba Court) where the main demonstration will be held.

On Saturday, June 13th, the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality invites you to visit the villages of Umm al-Hiran and Atir, hear from the residents of the villages, and experience the situation firsthand. Transportation to the unrecognized villages will be available from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva. English translation will be provided on site as well.

Please join us to learn about and document the injustices that are facing the Bedouin communities of these two unrecognized villages. For more information, please contact Michal Rotem – 054-5851700 michal@dukium.org.

* If you would like to schedule a private tour in the area, please contact Michal as well.

Read more about the village of Umm al-Hiran | Read more about the village of Atir