The break-in at the Nabataean base was the culmination of a series of burglary and theft incidents in the Negev region • We must fight crime in the Negev, before sinking into the desert sands • Opinion
Attack on a military jeep in the south
In recent weeks, there has been a wave of burglary, theft and infiltration of military bases in the southern region, in what appears to be a step up in terms of Bedouin crime in the Negev.
The incident of the infiltration of the Air Force base in Nabatieh is so far the highlight.
A break-in relatively easy for such an advanced closed and maintained military facility is an exceptional and unprecedented event.
But this is the tip of the iceberg.
About two months ago, in a break-in at the land training base in Tze'elim, ammunition was stolen on a huge scale - tens of thousands of bullets and other weapons;
About two weeks ago, Israel Today reported another break-in at Tze'elim, in which communications equipment and other equipment were stolen, which caused delays in deploying forces on security missions on the northern border;
Last week, large quantities of ammunition were stolen from an IDF base in the Yemeni field, and during a chase after the thieves, a stun grenade was thrown at the soldiers.
And that's not all.
This week, the police announced the capture of a squad that was responsible for burglary of several houses in the southern region, during which an act of sodomy was even committed on a girl while she was in her room.
The accumulation of these events floods for the umpteenth time the severity of the situation in the south and the fragility of the rule of law in the area where Israel is to be examined.
In response to these incidents, officials almost always provide the same prescription (insofar as they are willing to admit the facts): protection, protection and more protection.
The Tze'elim commander repeatedly instructs to "refine procedures" regarding guarding, and to erect another fence and another gate around the base and the parking lot next to it.
Reservists on the ground are told to "take good care" of the equipment, and warn them not to open fire in any scenario ("no one will protect you in court").
When a miracle happens and someone is caught and arrested, he is usually released very quickly or with only minor charges.
The Jews in the Negev live among fences, roads and settlements, while the wide desert has long since become a dangerous ex-territory.
The path to change must include reversing the paradigm.
Law enforcement should start with the Bedouin villages themselves, and should address the urgent problems that primarily affect the Bedouin population itself.
Illegal weapons, polygamy, drug gangs and protectionism.
It is morally right, and it is a practical duty.
This is our duty to the Bedouin citizens of Israel, and the truth is that there is really no choice: civilizations that have not conquered the desert have sunk into the sand.