Israel destroys Bedouin village

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

By MISNA

Article Tools

Discuss

A Bedouin village in the Negev desert was destroyed last night, the Missionary News Service reports. About 300 inhabitants of the old village of al-Arakib were woken up by 1,500 police officers in battle equipment and helicopters, telling them to leave immediately, making way for bulldozers, which demolished 40 homes. The demolition operations have left a few people injured. Several others have been arrested.

The Negev Forum for Coexistence reported the episode. It fears that further evictions will be taking place soon. There are another 44 Bedouin villages in Israeli territory, that have not been recognized by Israeli authorities. The demolition of al-Arakib, took place in spite of the fact that there is an ongoing debate in the Courts over the actual ownership of the land.

The residents of al-Arakib had rights dating back to before the formation of the Israeli state. However, the National Jewish Fund, decided to replace the village with trees for lumber.

The Bedouins have lived in the Negev for over 1000 years. There are about 80,000 Bedouins living there now. They are not recognized by the Israeli government and they do not have access to services as electricity and running water. While the plight of the Palestinians in Israel/Palestine is widely reported, that of the Bedouins, who are a tiny minority, is rarely mentioned.

Filed under israel, religion, geopolitics, human rights

Middle East

Featured

World alarm over Syria's torture of children
A United Nations panel today voiced deep concern about massive human rights violations in Syria, including the reported torture of children, as the Government?s violent crackdown against protesters continues. more
TURKEY - Erdogan's religious acrobatics: Nicaea council church back to being a mosque
The church of Aghia Sophia in Nicaea (Izmit), in which the 787 Council was held, was used as a museum. A controversial decision by the Directorate General of Religious Affairs transforms it into a Muslim place of worship. Erdogan' contents Islamic sectors of society. more
Iraq: US Catholic bishops visit tomb of martyred priests
more
Lebanon: Carmelite monastery tries to stem the tide of emigration
more
IRAQ - Double targeted killings against the Christian community in Kirkuk
Yesterday in the district of Muthana, an armed group assassinated the 30 year old Catholic Bassam Isho. October 1, Emmanuel Polos Hanna, was found at the edge of the road to Baghdad shot to death. Christian sources in Kirkuk: "The attacks continue, in the total silence of the world." more
Anatomy of fear: A Sunni democracy in defence of Christians
The Lebanese commentator Elie Fayad questions the political prospects of Arab spring and Christians fears of radical Islamic tendencies: "Is it not time the East give a chance to Sunni democracy?". more
Catholic bishop of Wales endorses Jerusalem churches statement on Palestine
more
Christian priests and bishops come out in support of Palestinian statehood
more
Seaside fortress was a final stronghold of early Islamic power
Ancient harbor at Yavneh-Yam was used for hostage exchange, says Tel Aviv University researcher. more

Comments

Popular Right Now

Obama has put an end to the American Experiment
Hedonism has become America's official religion.
On St Valentine's Day it is time to reflect on love
On St. Valentine's Day, let us examine our consciences and reflect upon our behavior towards others. Seek the source of Love.
Obamacare is about the lust for abortion
Obama would like nothing bettert than to force all religious institutions to provide abortion coverage. But the foremost issue is religious liberty.
Obama administration's insincere spokesmen
Obama administration minions, including David Axelrod, are spinning Obama's decision to mandate sterilization and contraception for religiously-affiliated institutions.
President Obama: Catholics are not second-rate citizens
The Catholic Church, in an official capacity, is tellings its faithful to practice full-on civil disobedience should Obama's contraceptoin mandate continue.

Popular Commentary

Obama adds insult to injury to Americans
Obama has put an end to the American Experiment
Hedonism has become America's official religion.
On St Valentine's Day it is time to reflect on love
On St. Valentine's Day, let us examine our consciences and reflect upon our behavior towards others. Seek the source of Love.
Obamacare is about the lust for abortion
Obama would like nothing bettert than to force all religious institutions to provide abortion coverage. But the foremost issue is religious liberty.
Pope Benedict's Lenten message
Lent is a time to reflect on the very heart of Christian faith: charity.

New World News

Singer Whitney Houston, dead at 48
Sundered by drug abuse and a slumping career, the talented and once beautiful Whitney Houston has passed away.
Pakistan: Short stories in Punjabi, to promote Christian values and common good
Fr. Mukhtar Alam has published a volume of stories of his mother. Stories that give "light" to those who are in the "dark" and teach the common good. At presentation, near the cathedral of Faisalabad, intellectuals, writers and leaders of the Church of Pakistan Muslim.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong, jobs emergency: workers shortage by 2018
One government study confirms need for 14 thousand workers by 2018 to maintain economic growth at current levels. Behind this there are restrictive policies on birth control imposed by Beijing and the decision not to give citizenship to those born in the Territory.
Myanmar: Monk Gambira, leader of the Saffron Revolution, free again
The authorities had yesterday detained him "for questioning". First released only a month ago, Gambira has spent the past three years in prison for leading protests by monks against the Burmese government.
India: Karnataka: Jesuits and schools targeted by Hindu nationalists
Three attacks since 2011 at St. Joseph's PU College, Anekal. The religious are accused of not having displayed the national flag on Republic Day, but the president has always denied this. Silence of police and authorities. Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC): ...

RSS

Twitter

Facebook

Google+
Submit a tip
Advertise
Terms of use
Privacy Policy
Contact