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

Update from Negev Coexistence Forum

28.07.2012

• Al Arakib marks two years since first demolition
• South African Ambassador visits Al Arakib
• NCF hosting Iftar dinner

Al Arakib marks two years since first demolition

On Friday, the residents of Al Arakib marked two years since the village was first destroyed on July 27, 2010. It has now been demolished a total of 37 times.

Over 150 people — including Bedouin, Israeli and international activists, MK Ahmed Tibi and other local leaders — marched from the main road to the village and had a special Iftar dinner together for Ramadan.

“It is a privilege to be a part of the struggle in Al Arakib,” said NCF Executive Director Haia Noach, “but as a Jewish citizen, it’s not a right but a duty to support people that the state of Israel is oppressing.”

South African Ambassador visits Al Arakib

South African Ambassador to Israel, Ismail Coovadia, visited the unrecognized Bedouin village of Al Arakib on Sunday July 22 with representatives from the Negev Coexistence Forum and Adalah legal center.

Al Arakib leader Sheikh Sayyah Al Touri told the Ambassador: “We don’t have rights in Israel. We are citizens but we don’t have equal rights.” Al Touri urged the Ambassador to apply pressure on the Israeli government and the Jewish National Fund, but most importantly asked him to raise awareness about the village, which has been demolished 37 times since July 2010.

The Ambassador said that he was familiar with the challenges Bedouin citizens are facing in the Negev and that he would take up the issue with the South African government.

“You have our support, our solidarity support,” he said.

NCF hosting Iftar dinner

Ramadan Mubarak!

NCF will host its annual Iftar dinner at the Multaka-Mifgash cultural center in Be’er Sheva on Tuesday July 31 at 7:30 p.m. at the Multaka-Mifgash cultural center (7 King Solomon) in Be’er Sheva.

For more information, call Doron at 050-205-6293.