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Table 2 Key events in Bedouin urbanization chronology 1948–2010 (adapted from Ben-David 2004)
From: Urban tribalism: negotiating form, function and social milieu in Bedouin towns, Israel
Year | Event | Effect |
|---|---|---|
1948 | Israel takes control of the Negev | Migration of most Bedouin to Jordan and Egypt due to flight or deportation Establishment of military rule over the Bedouin Relocation of the remaining Bedouin to the Seyag zone |
1948–current | The growth of non-formal villages by Bedouin in the Seyag zone | Considered by government as unauthorized settlements these settlements are denied services and under threat of demolishment |
1966 | End of military rule | Freedom of movement beyond the Seyage boundaries. Greater education and work opportunities |
1967 | Establishment of Tel-Sheva, the first Bedouin town | Initiation of planned, governmentally induced re-settlement |
1971 | Establishment of Rahat | The intensification of urbanization |
1979 | Establishment of Segev-Shalom | The intensification of urbanization |
1980 | Parliament enacts the “Peace Law” in conjunction with the peace accord between Israel and Egypt | Relocation of 5000 Bedouin from Tel el-Maleh Planning of new settlements for the relocated Bedouin Government offers compromise and compensation to Bedouin issuing native title claims |
1981/2 | Execution of the “Peace Law” | The establishment of Kseifa and Arara for the Bedouin to Tel el-Maleh |
1985 | Establishment of Laqiya | The intensification of urbanization |
1989 | First local election in Rahat Establishment of Hura | The transfer of local authority to residents’ hands |
1993 | Local elections | The transfer of local authority to residents’ hands in Tel-Sheva Second elections in Rahat |
1994 | Rahat is officially announced as a city | Rahat reaches 20,000 residents, indication of the deepening urbanization process |
1995 | Government outlines a new plan to resolve Bedouin land claims tying compensation with urbanization | Plan rejected by the Bedouin as inadequate |
1996 | Establishment of the “Regional Council of Unrecognized Bedouin Villages” NGO | Bedouin offer a plan of their own to resolve land claims as well as gain government recognition of 45 non-formal villages |
2000–current | Government agrees to recognize 11 Bedouin villages, granting them formal status and initiates their planning | 11 villages are incorporated under a formal regional council headed by a Jewish appointed mayor |