Settling for Less: The Planned Resettlement of Israel's Negev Bedouin

The resettlement of the Negev Bedouin (Israel) has been controversial since the 1960s, with unintended consequences jeopardizing the success of the planning initiative. Town living fostered improvements in social and economic development, but many Bedouin abandoned their nomadic lifestyle and traditions in response to economic, political, and social pressure from the State.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 13 January 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Since its inception in the 1960s, the resettlement of the Negev Bedouin (Israel) has been a contentious issue. The author presents evidence from a two-decade period to demonstrate how the changes that have occurred over the past sixty to seventy years have served the needs and interests of the State rather than those of the Bedouin community as a whole. While town living has fostered improvements in social and economic development, numerous unintended consequences have jeopardized the success of this planning initiative. As a result, the Bedouin community has endured excessive hardship and rapid change, abandoning their nomadic lifestyle and traditions in response to the economic, political, and social pressure exerted by the State. In return, they have received very little.

The resettlement of the Negev Bedouin was a controversial policy that aimed to settle Bedouins in towns and cities in the Negev region of Israel. The policy was implemented in the 1960s and 1970s as part of a larger effort to modernize the Israeli economy and society. However, the resettlement of the Bedouins has been fraught with controversy and has had unintended consequences for the Bedouin community.

One of the main issues with the resettlement of the Bedouins was the loss of their traditional lands and livelihoods. The Bedouins were nomadic herders who relied on their herds for their survival. When they were resettled in towns and cities, they were often forced to give up their herds and take jobs in the urban economy. This led to a decline in the Bedouin's economic and social status, as they were no longer able to maintain their traditional way of life.

Another issue with the resettlement of the Bedouins was the lack of access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and water. The Bedouins lived in remote areas and often had to travel long distances to access these services. When they were resettled in towns and cities, they were often housed in overcrowded and inadequate housing, which led to poor health outcomes and low educational attainment.

The resettlement of the Bedouins has also had cultural consequences. The Bedouins have a rich cultural heritage that includes traditional music, dance, and clothing. When they were resettled in towns and cities, they were often exposed to new cultural influences and were forced to adapt to a new way of life. This led to a loss of cultural identity and a sense of belonging for the Bedouins.

In response to these issues, the Bedouin community has launched a number of campaigns to advocate for their rights and to seek redress for the unintended consequences of the resettlement policy. These campaigns have included legal action, political lobbying, and social activism.

Despite these efforts, the resettlement of the Negev Bedouin has continued to be a contentious issue. The Israeli government has argued that the resettlement policy is necessary to modernize the economy and society of the Negev region and to improve the quality of life for the Bedouins. However, the Bedouin community has argued that the policy is discriminatory and has had unintended consequences for their way.

In conclusion, the resettlement of the Negev Bedouin has been a controversial issue that has had unintended consequences for the Bedouin community. The loss of traditional lands and livelihoods, lack of access to basic services, and cultural consequences have all contributed to the decline in the Bedouin's economic and social status. The Israeli government has argued that the resettlement policy is necessary to modernize the economy and society of the Negev region, but the Bedouin community has argued that the policy is discriminatory and has had unintended consequences for their way of life. It is important for the Israeli government to engage with the Bedouin community and to work towards a solution that addresses their needs and interests while also preserving their cultural heritage.

Weight: 382g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800737365