Sir, – Eamonn McCann (Opinion, December 3rd) writes "there are no Bedouin in the ministry [of tourism]'s account." This is strange because the ministry lists the many tribes that have lived in the Negev, which includes Israelis. The Bedouin are Israelis. They serve in the Israeli Defence Force.
Whatever romantic notions one might have about nomadic peoples, the reality is such that clean water, electricity, education and other public services are practically impossible to deliver to them.
The Begin-Prawer Plan is a five-year economic development plan that aims to do just that by creating viable communities in areas in the Negev where that is possible. €1.46 billion has been allocated to settle land claims and an additional NIS €250,000 for education, employment, transport and for youth and women projects. This will enable more young people to go on to further education. Sounds good to me.
McCann talks of the “erasure” of villages and the “displacement” of 70,000 people. What he fails to mention is that the relocation of some Bedouin even comes at their own request, for instance those living near the toxic chemical site in Ramat Hovav. Some communities will be asked to merge, like the 11 villages that merged in 2003 to form the Abu Basma Regional Council where 30,000 Bedouin live. Once the legislation has been passed a government agency will work with each community on the issues of settlement and compensation claims.
The Bedouin will continue to live in the Negev with access to all the services they are entitled to as Israeli citizens. – Yours, etc,
MELISSA TEODORINI,
Gledswood Park,
Clonskeagh,
Dublin 14.