The
Israeli Justice system describes the crisis of illegal construction as a “blow
to the nation.” Different estimates gauge some 100,000 illegally constructed structures
throughout the country. The illegal construction of the Bedouin takes up a
sizable portion of this crisis. As of the end of 2012 the number of illegal
structures by the Bedouin is estimated at some 65,000 and each year some
additional 2000 new structures are built.5
A
common claim is that the Bedouin have no recourse but to resort to illegal
construction. The finger of accusation is pointed at the state that does not
allow planning or construction permits in the Arab sector. Take for example the
position paper of the Coalition for Citizen’s Rights[1]:
“Illegal
construction in Arab villages does not take place in a vacuum and is
not done by choice or the desire to break or disrespect the laws of
the state. Such building … is done in order to provide housing for young people
and Arab families, who the state and planning authorities have left for many
years with no solution to their housing problem. It basically stems
from a cessation of planning by the authorities, expressed by, among other
things, a lack of planning or faulty planning which does not meet the minimum
requirements of Arab citizens.”
“It is
important to note that the Arab citizens who are forced into this situation are
not greedy construction criminals … all they seek is a modest house over their
heads. We are not talking about luxurious villas. In many cases they are tin
shacks, shelters, or small apartments … if it was only possible, and if
they had a legal choice before them, we would not see them building without
permits, construction, which from the standpoint of the costs, is much more
expensive than building with permits and according to approved construction
plans.”
Over
the years, the State of Israel has established plans in order to settle the
Bedouin in towns connected to infrastructure (electricity, water, and sewage),
educational and medical facilities. Towards this end seven Bedouin towns were
established, later the State executed a process of retroactively legalizing and
recognizing 11 illegal Bedouin villages (referred to as Abu Basma Council
towns). As of May, 2013, among the 220,000 Bedouin citizens in the Negev, some
132,000 residents are registered as living in organized, legal towns &
villages.
The
official position paper of the Israeli Land Authority show a multiple array of
enticements offered to those Bedouin who leave the numerous illegally
constructed villages and move to the legal towns and cities. These enticements
are given regardless of financial status or whether they have a claim to the
land or not.
“The
enticements granted to the Bedouin include free housing lots exempt from
development fees – the state grants the Bedouin, free of charge, lots on
average 800 square meters per family (close to a ¼ acre). The plots are
completely developed, including infrastructure for roads, drainage, sewage,
electricity, water, etc. It is important to note that on these lots a Bedouin
family can chose to build between 1 and 4 housing units according to their
preference and need.
The
Bedouin family that moves from an illegal village to permanent housing in a
legal town or village receives monetary compensation from the State. The average
amount of compensation for those moving to permanent housing is a few times
higher than the true value of the illegal structure. The amount of compensation
is fixed according to the index of the ILA and can reach hundreds of thousands
of shekels (NIS) per family.
In
addition, Bedouin families who move from illegally established villages to
permanent housing receive financial grants. The State of Israel
give Bedouin residents who move from these areas to permanent housing a “moving
grant” of 7500 NIS per family and an extra 1500 NIS per child. It is
important to note that the advantages given to the Bedouin sector are exclusive
and are not given to any other sectors of the population.”
Until
today, the state has spent around 370 million NIS ($100m) alone on
development of lots for families who have moved from scattered regions in the
framework of the compensation procedure. The budget earmarked for development
of lots for the rest of the residents of scattered regions in the framework of
an arrangement is estimated at close to 2.5 billion NIS. The figures from the
authority for Bedouin settlement from May, 2013 show that despite unprecedented
advantages, there are still 15,000 empty lots in Bedouin settlements, around a
quarter of them after complete development, which remain desolate and
unused.
It is
noted that despite the substantial efforts invested on behalf of the state,
including new towns, residential neighborhoods, and compensation for
evacuation, there has not yet been an ongoing and comprehensive follow up
including verification that there is a connection between these investments and
an arrangement for the Bedouin population living in illegal villages. Moreover,
from population statistics it appears that from 1994 to 2013 the population
living in these illegal villages grew by 20,000 residents, despite all the
plans and resources that have been invested in the process.
Lakiya town plan for 30,000
residents
|
Actual Number of residents 11,723 (May. 2013)
|
A good
example of the phenomena is Lakiya. See photos above. The government provided
plans for 30,000 residents and today only 11,723 residents reside there.
Conclusion:
The claim that Bedouin are forced to resort to illegal construction due to
withholding of permits and adequate planning on the part of the authorities is
far from the reality of the actual situation on the ground. The State of Israel
has assigned large budgets and made every effort above and beyond what is
required by the law in order to allow the Bedouin to move to legal communities.
5
Interior Ministry figures, 2012
[1]
“The Policy of Home Demolition in Arab and Mixed Settlements.” The Coalition
for Citizen’s Rights. http://www.acri.org.il/he/?p=2326
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