South

י"ג אלול התשפ"ג - 30 August 2023

Ground-breaking verdict brings hope for justice in the Negev

Beer Sheva District Court instructs the government to remove the squatters of Al Zarnog: “The State cannot condone the violation of individual proprietary rights.” A decisively-worded verdict was recently handed down by Judge Chani Slotki of the Be’er Sheva District Court, in a petition demanding that enforcement procedures be taken against hundreds of Bedouin squatters […]

Erosion of governance

ח' תמוז התשפ"ג - 27 June 2023

Building a vision for the Negev

Big news for the State of Israel: The government has outlined a historic and strategic plan that will restore governance and personal safety to the Negev. Last week, Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Legalizing the Settlement, and the Economic Development, of the Bedouin Sector in the Negev to discuss […]

Environmental abuse

י' טבת התשפ"ג - 03 January 2023

Gas prices going up? Not for everyone

While the cost to fill up your car continues to rise, there are those living in a parallel universe – in Bedouistan. For many years, Regavim has been sounding the alarm bells about the phenomenon of dozens of illegal gas stations that are scattered throughout the Negev. Even when Police forces manage to shut one […]

Erosion of governance

ו' טבת התשפ"ג - 30 December 2022

The Sde Boker Initiative: a vision for the Negev 2050

To mark the 49th anniversary of the passing of David Ben-Gurion, we launched our “Sde Boker Initiative.” This comprehensive roadmap for the future of the Negev is the result of 16 years of fieldwork, analysis, legal research and activism that have enabled us to formulate a vision for the future, looking ahead to 2050 through the […]

Land policy

ג' תשרי התשפ"ג - 28 September 2022

Preview: “The Vanishing Negev” report

Our most recent report, currently being translated into English, is an in-depth, up-to-date study of land use policy in the Negev, offering a comprehensive survey of the history and land ownership claims of the Negev Bedouin community, settlement and regulation efforts and the current realities created by illegal construction and more. This report offers multi-disciplinary […]

Erosion of governance

כ"ד אב התשפ"ב - 21 August 2022

Funded by an anti-Israel sheikh: Tower and Stockade in 2022

It all started a few months ago. Our field coordinator in the South discovered at least six new, identical, and illegal mosques constructed in the Negev, one after the other. Not long afterward, we got our hands on a video clip that documented a group of Palestinian infiltrators hiding in one of these mosques until […]

Land policy

ט' סיון התשפ"ב - 08 June 2022

Possible breakthrough for regulation of Bedouin settlement in the Negev

Today (Wednesday, 8 June) the Supreme Court denied a petition filed by the Rahat Municipality – neutralizing one more attempt to sabotage the relocation of thousands of Bedouin squatters and the regulation of Bedouin settlement in the Negev. Regavim: “The Bedouin leadership itself is throwing the monkey-wrench into the works and obstructing the regulation process.” […]

Erosion of governance

י"ג אייר התשפ"ב - 14 May 2022

“Guardian of the Walls”: A year on

On 10 May 2021, the May riots, during the Guardian of the Walls operation, began throughout Israel. It all started when rockets were fired from Gaza on Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim), and continued in the form of lynches and attacks against Jews in mixed cities, riots on the streets of the Negev, violence and terror […]

Erosion of governance

י' אייר התשפ"ב - 11 May 2022

Failure to implement Camel Law is a ticking time bomb

Heartbreaking: Yuval Eilat’s widow releases cutting statement: “Our lives have been destroyed, and the camel caravan marches on.” Three weeks after the fatal camel accident that cost Yuval Eilat Uzan his life, a herd of camels was seen roaming the Negev roads this morning. Regavim: “The Ministry of Agriculture’s negligence is a ticking time bomb.” […]

General

ג' אייר התשפ"ב - 04 May 2022

“We were like dreamers”: 74 years of the State of Israel

Dear Friends and Partners, Israel’s Independence Day, Yom HaAtzmaut, is a day of celebration – although every day, for 74 years now, we’re thankful for the Jewish and independent State of Israel. The three weeks between Pesach and Yom HaAtzmaut are days of remembrance, renewal and national rebirth. These three weeks thread together the Exodus […]

Land policy

כ"ד אדר ב' התשפ"ב - 27 March 2022

Regavim welcomes government decision to establish new communities in the Negev

Today (Sunday) the Israeli government approved the establishment of 5 new settlements in the Mevo’ot Arad region, including a new Bedouin settlement. Regavim called the decision a “positive and proactive Zionist settlement policy decision.” The Regavim Movement welcomed this morning government’s decision to establish five new settlements in the Mevo’ot Arad region. Among the slated […]

Erosion of governance

י"ט אדר ב' התשפ"ב - 22 March 2022

Writing was on the wall for Beer Sheva terror attack

Regavim: The radicalization of the Bedouin community in the Negev is unaddressed – and has resulted in bloodshed Following the murderous attack in Beer Sheva this afternoon in which four people lost their lives, Regavim released an anguished statement: “Once again, the loss of governance in the Negev has taken an intolerable toll in human […]

Erosion of governance

ז' אדר ב' התשפ"ב - 10 March 2022

Government barters away the Negev to the Islamic Movement

Regavim: Removing the enforcement chapter from the new Five Year Plan for the Bedouin sector means surrender, and the establishment of Bedouistan in the Negev Enforcement statistics for the past several years are unequivocal: New illegal construction in the Bedouin squatters’ camps is down, and law enforcement is up – significantly, reaching its peak in […]

General

ו' אדר ב' התשפ"ב - 09 March 2022

Bedouistan

A state-within-a-state has taken shape in southern Israel: Bedouistan, the lawless state of the Negev. Order the book here. Astonishing quantities of illegal weapons, land-grabs, water and electricity theft, drug trafficking and marijuana plantations on IDF firing zones, agricultural terrorism, protection rackets, home invasions, theft and armed robbery – all this and more make up […]

Erosion of governance

כ"ט שבט התשפ"ב - 31 January 2022

Government’s new five-year plan shuts down governance in the Negev

This morning, Bedouin lawbreakers herding flocks of thousands of sheep invaded the IDF Tzeelim Base, leading to a confrontation with the Israel Police and the Green Patrol who were called out to remove the intruders from the IDF’s live-ammunition training area. The intruders called in backup of their own – Bedouin residents of the Bir […]

Erosion of governance

י' שבט התשפ"ב - 12 January 2022

Government caves in once again, fuels next wave of violence

Following the decision to suspend the KKL forestation project in southern Israel, the Regavim Movement decried the government’s capitulation, charging this decision as continued “protection payments” to Mansour Abbas that make the next round of violence and domestic terrorism inevitable. The Raam Party and the Bedouin know full well that they can dictate to the […]

Polygamy

ח' שבט התשפ"ב - 10 January 2022

MK Aida Touma-Suleiman cancels Knesset Committee hearing on polygamy

MK Aida Touma-Suleiman (United Arab List), Chair of the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality, canceled today’s scheduled hearing on polygamy in the Bedouin sector: “At this very moment, land is being stolen in the Negev.” Three MKs who initiated the hearing requested a short delay: MK Amichai Chikli was participating […]

General

כ"ה טבת התשפ"ב - 29 December 2021

Hang on tight – we’re ready for takeoff!

From the May 2021 Riots through the Electricity Law, from the Palestinian Authority’s de facto annexation of Area C through countless hours of Knesset committee hearings and fieldwork, from countless courtroom appearances through grinding parliamentary policy sessions, from our constant presence on the ground to our incessant efforts to bridge the gaps in law and […]

Erosion of governance

כ"ז כסלו התשפ"ב - 01 December 2021

Watch: Arutz Sheva joins Regavim to explore the loss of governance in the Negev

This article first appeared on Arutz Sheva Israel National News – Arutz Sheva travelled to Southern Israel with Regavim to witness up close what many call “loss of governance in the Negev,” and to find out whether construction of the three communities the government is planning for the Bedouins will solve the problem or make it […]

Erosion of governance

י"ב כסלו התשפ"ב - 16 November 2021

Agricultural crime: 14 Knesset hearings of ‘same old’ – but this time could be different

Last week, we participated in a Public Security Committee hearing in the Knesset about agricultural crime. Regavim’s Director General, Meir Deutsch, presented the Committee with Regavim’s multifaceted plan to combat the issue. In his opening remarks, Deutsch shared with chairwoman MK Merav Ben Ari that this was the 14th (!) meeting about agricultural crime in […]

Land policy

כ"ח חשון התשפ"ב - 03 November 2021

Raam exerted maximum pressure – but government decision maintains Regavim’s framework

Despite heavy pressure by the Raam Party to make substantive changes in the wording of the government’s decision, cooperation between Regavim and the staff of Minister of Interior Ayelet Shaked’s office resulted in wording virtually identical to the proposal tabled by the Netanyahu government. Earlier today (Wednesday), the government approved plans for a new Bedouin […]

General

כ"ו חשון התשפ"ב - 01 November 2021

Mazal tov to us: Palestinians declare Regavim a terrorist organization

Last weekend, Minister of Defense Benny Gantz announced that six Palestinian NGOs have ties with the PFLP. In response, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) designated Regavim and NGO Monitor as terrorist organizations. The PLO called on international bodies to break off all relations with us and NGO Monitor, claiming that our activities are carried out […]

Erosion of governance

י"ב חשון התשפ"ב - 18 October 2021

Battling in the Knesset to save the Negev

Today, we participated in an emergency meeting organized by the Land of Israel Caucus in the Knesset to demand security and safety for the Negev. Meir Deutsch, Regavim’s Director General, spoke to the Members of Knesset about the Negev predicament, and explained why Bedouin settlements that have been legalized are, in effect, still squatter camps. […]

Erosion of governance

כ"א תשרי התשפ"ב - 27 September 2021

The coalition must not reward bad behavior

The coalition depends on the votes of the Ra’am party so it is about to pass a law that effectively rewards illegal construction, which is a serious problem in the Arab sector. Without fanfare, the Ra’am party recently submitted one of the shortest bills in Israel’s legislative history. Amending only three words – “14 Sivan […]

General

כ"ט אלול התשפ"א - 06 September 2021

Shana tova from Regavim!

The start of a new year gives us a unique opportunity to thank you for your support, encouragement and partnership. This past year presented a new set of challenges. Lockdowns and social distancing, along with a volatile and exceptionally challenging political environment, forced us to find new, creative solutions in order to continue our important […]

Land policy

ב' אלול התשפ"א - 10 August 2021

Fact-check: Are the Negev Bedouin an Indigenous People?

Yesterday marked the International Day of Indigenous Peoples. During the Knesset’s Finance Committee meeting, MK Mossi Raz of Meretz claimed that the Bedouin minority in the Negev are “indigenous”. We’d like to enlighten MK Raz and explain why his claim is patently false. What constitutes an indigenous people is a complicated question that is yet to be solved. […]

Erosion of governance

כ"ו אב התשפ"א - 04 August 2021

Regavim: State Comptroller’s report – a red alert for the Negev

The Regavim Movement reacted to the findings of the State Comptroller, released today (Wednesday) in a report focusing on governance in the Negev: “The government can turn the situation in the Negev around – by enacting five practical recommendations that arise from this in-depth and comprehensive report.” Meir Deutsch, Director General of Regavim: “This is […]

General

י"ג אב התשפ"א - 22 July 2021

Field tour in the Negev for Knesset Land of Israel Caucus

Today (Thursday), we held a field tour in the Negev for Members of Knesset from the Knesset Land of Israel Caucus. We discussed the complex topic of the illegal squatter camps in the Negev and its consequences for the State of Israel. Participants in the field tour included: MKs Yoav Kisch, Orit Strouk, Amir Ohana, […]

Erosion of governance

ג' אב התשפ"א - 12 July 2021

Rising extremism in Israeli Bedouin society is undeniable

Today, the General Security Service (Shabak) released details of the arrest of the Bedouin millionaire Yakub Abu-Alkiyan on suspicion of treason. Meir Deutsch, Director General of Regavim responded: “The fact that Abu-Alkiyan, a millionaire with extensive property and business holdings who maintains close ties with leaders of Israel’s economy, passed sensitive security information to Iranian […]

Erosion of governance

ז' תמוז התשפ"א - 17 June 2021

Regavim’s quick intervention prevents Negev land grab

A resident of Kuseife, a legal Bedouin town in the Negev founded in 1982, decided to expand his assets, and illegally took over land part of the unrecognized Al-Fura squatters’ camp. A few months ago, the resident, who already owns a big villa in Kuseife, began to build a huge compound containing two living spaces. […]

Land policy

ל' סיון התשפ"א - 10 June 2021

Abbas & new Bedouin “communities”: What’s it all about?

What are the “new settlements” in the Negev that Raam Party leader Mansour Abbas is demanding? When you imagine the establishment of new settlements, you probably think of architects and engineers who sit down together and plan framework and infrastructure of any new settlement down to the smallest detail. But things in the Negev work […]

Land policy

כ"ח סיון התשפ"א - 08 June 2021

Coalition agreements abandon the Negev

The details of the coalition agreements publicized in the media yesterday evening (7 June) reveal that Bennett and Saar, who blamed Netanyahu for the failure of governance in the Negev, are not only failing to provide solutions – they are exacerbating the problem. Aside from approving the whitewashing of thousands of illegal structures on about […]

Erosion of governance

כ"ג סיון התשפ"א - 03 June 2021

Bedouistan in the Negev: Who’s REALLY in charge?

Regavim calls on any government that is formed not to abandon the Negev. The Negev is a key part of the Zionist vision! But when the State of Israel fails to govern, other forces fill the void. Regavim invites you to take a long, hard look at where we are and where we’re headed in […]

Erosion of governance

כ' סיון התשפ"א - 31 May 2021

Adding injury to insult – but with a good ending

Security Coordinator whose weapon was impounded last year when spiteful, baseless charges were filed against him by criminals, was wounded last night as he fended off a terrorist with his bare hands while protecting his community. Last night (Sunday 30 May) a terrorist who infiltrated from the Gaza Strip stabbed the Security Coordinator of one […]

General

ט"ז סיון התשפ"א - 27 May 2021

Photo contest: my beautiful Israel

Announcing Regavim’s Photo Contest: My Beautiful IsraelShare, enjoy – and WIN FABULOUS PRIZES! Summer is here, and the time to enjoy Israel’s beautiful landscapes – either live or virtually – is NOW! We invite you to upload your best photo of an Israeli landscape here by 8 Tamuz (18 June) and join the competition. We’ll […]

Erosion of governance

ט"ו סיון התשפ"א - 26 May 2021

Regavim in the Knesset: next outbreak of violence a matter of time

Today (26 May) we participated in an emergency Knesset hearing to discuss the explosion of lawlessness throughout Israel in recent weeks. The hearing, organized by Regavim and MK Amichai Chikli of Yemina, was attended by many Members of Knesset, local leaders, civil organizations, and residents of mixed cities. In his remarks, Meir Deutsch, Regavim’s Director […]

Environmental abuse

י' אייר התשפ"א - 22 April 2021

Earth Day 2021 overshadowed by illegal junkyards

In the last few years, the industry of illegal junkyards has grown, turning into a serious, widespread, national problem. Criminals view the illegal disposal of waste as worthwhile and profitable, and too often they manage to escape punishment. Removal contractors “save” the costs of properly dealing with waste at licensed landfill sites by simply offloading […]

Kaminitz Law

א' אייר התשפ"א - 13 April 2021

Why the Kaminitz Law is so crucial for Israel’s future

In an attempt to garner Arab parties’ support, the Israeli left is now seeking the total repeal of Amendment 116, better known as the Kaminitz Law, which seeks to address the epidemic of illegal construction. Illegal construction on public and private land is a national epidemic that has been ravaging the Israeli landscape for far […]

Erosion of governance

ז' ניסן התשפ"א - 20 March 2021

Regavim launches hard-hitting Negev campaign

Regavim launches a hard-hitting campaign, calling upon the Israeli government to stop the downward spiral and save the Negev – before it’s too late. For years, the Israeli government has attempted to counter the loss of governance and the spread of illegal squatters’ camps in southern Israel by offering “compensation” payments and free land to […]

Erosion of governance

כ"ד אדר התשפ"א - 08 March 2021

Regavim successfully protects agricultural lands near Moshav Nevatim

Earlier this year, a Bedouin man invaded into agricultural lands that belong to the Moshav Nevatim, appropriated a piece of land for himself, and put up an illegal hut. The hut was small, but its impact was huge: the intruder decided to stay there and prevent the Moshav’s workers from entering their fields to work […]

Erosion of governance

י"א אדר התשפ"א - 23 February 2021

A perversion of justice: one rule for Jewish homes, another for Bedouins

Israel’s High Court of Justice denies appeal of landowners whose property has been overtaken by thousands of Bedouin squatters: “This case does not justify judicial interference.” After a decade of legal proceedings, yesterday (Monday) Israel’s High Court of Justice denied an appeal by owners of private property who sought a court-mandated deadline for the removal […]

Erosion of governance

כ"ז שבט התשפ"א - 09 February 2021

Bedouin bandits infiltrate IAF base at Nevatim

Ignoring a small problem allows it to turn into a big problem. Last night’s case in point:Bedouin bandits infiltrated the Israel Air Force base at Nevatim; IAF helicopters engaged in an hours-long chase. The State of Israel has been ignoring the cracks in law and order in the Negev for so long, they’ve become a […]

General

כ"ז שבט התשפ"א - 09 February 2021

A 3-minute activity blast: Regavim’s activities in 2020

Let the numbers do the talking. Here’s what we accomplished in the last year: 205 Field tour days 51 New case files 18 Lectures and webinars 20 Knesset hearings 9 New legal petitions 31 Tours for Members of Knesset and Ministers 32 Tours for journalists And one homeland which we will continue to protect – […]

General

י"ד שבט התשפ"א - 27 January 2021

Regavim celebrates 15 years of Zionist activism

Mazal tov to Regavim! We’re celebrating 15 years of Zionist activism. This evening, we begin the festival of Tu B’Shvat, which coincides with the 15th anniversary of Regavim. Tu B’Shvat is the day on which the People of Israel celebrate the Land of Israel and the rebirth of its natural beauty. Over the last 15 […]

Erosion of governance

כ"ח טבת התשפ"א - 12 January 2021

Dramatic drop in Israeli public’s trust in High Court of Justice

Yesterday (January 11), a new poll was published by the Israel Democracy Institute reflecting a dramatic drop in the Israeli public’s trust in its government systems. One glaring finding shows that only 42% of the public express trust in the High Court of Justice, Israel’s highest court. To bring this problem into clear focus, it’s […]

Land policy

כ"ד כסלו התשפ"א - 10 December 2020

Bedouin’s guide to the Negev: How to make a fortune at the State’s expense

“Meet Abed. Abed is an 18-year-old Bedouin who lives in an ‘unrecognized’ squatters’ camp in the Negev. He’s a spontaneous, sensitive guy – and he’s nobody’s fool.” Regavim’s video illustrates why, despite the state’s efforts to create legal, organized communities for Israeli Bedouin, complete with municipal infrastructure and modern services, these attempts have failed over […]

Polygamy

י"ז חשון התשפ"א - 04 November 2020

In unprecedented court ruling, polygamist sentenced to seven months in prison

Last week, the Beer Sheva Magistrates Court sentenced an Israeli Bedouin to seven months in prison, after he was found guilty of polygamy. The man, a resident of the Negev, was already married when he took an additional wife. Although polygamy has been illegal in Israel since 1951, this is only the second time that a polygamist was sentenced to […]

Erosion of governance

י"ח אלול התש"פ - 07 September 2020

Polygamy in the Bedouin sector: A ticking time-bomb that nearly exploded

Today (September 7), the Shin Bet security agency announced that it foiled a Hamas bombing attack at Bilu Junction in central Israel. Mahmud Makdad, an Israeli citizen from the Bedouin town of Segev Shalom in the Negev, was apprehended as he attempted to plant an explosive device in a bus stop at the bustling junction. […]

Kaminitz Law

כ' כסלו התש"פ - 18 December 2019

United Arab List’s celebration of the repeal of the Kaminitz Law is fake news

This morning (Wednesday 18 December), the Knesset Arrangements Committee assigned hearings on enforcement of the ‘Kaminןtz Law’ to the Finance Committee. MKs from the United Arab List immediately launched a flurry of tweets framing the decision as a step toward the successful repeal of the law. MK Osama Saadi of the United Arab List claimed […]

Erosion of governance

ז' תשרי התש"פ - 06 October 2019

Camels cause deadly car accidents; Regavim blames government

This morning (October 6), Shaadi Abu Alkiyan of Hura (28) succumbed to wounds resulting from a collision with a wandering camel last week on the main road to his hometown. At the same time as this fatal accident, two other Israelis were wounded in another car crash with a camel near Ovda. Regavim places the […]

Erosion of governance

כ"ג אלול התשע"ט - 23 September 2019

Israel pays millions to Bedouin in massive protection racket under guise of ‘school security’

Regavim has uncovered a racket in which the Bedouin are paid off not to damage property they wrongly claim as their own. Israel’s government pays millions of shekels to Bedouin under the guise of “school security” in a massive protection racket, an investigation by Israeli NGO Regavim revealed. Regavim, which focuses on land issues, ‘followed […]

Erosion of governance

ב' סיון התשע"ח - 16 May 2018

Bir Hadaj: crime capital of the Negev

Today (May 16), the Israel Police and General Security Service (Shabak) announced the capture and arrest of a crime and terror cell from the Bedouin town Bir Hadaj in the Negev. All five suspects have been charged with damaging the IDF’s security installations on the Israel-Egypt border in order to facilitate their drug-smuggling operation. Regavim […]

Kaminitz Law

י"ז ניסן התשע"ז - 13 April 2017

A game-changing law against illegal construction

Following a legislative initiative over a decade in the works, the Knesset last week passed the “Kaminitz Law,” granting the state greater authority when it comes to enforcement with regard to construction violations throughout the country. The legislation, known as amendment 109 of the Planning and Building Law, which passed 43-33 in a special session […]

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