In recent years, the Bedouin and the IDF have been in constant conflict, from the intrusion of a car thief into a Nabataean base earlier this year, through the proudly documented weapons thefts on social media to wild daylight behavior at Tze'elim base and equipment theft. The Arab and taking over the Negev, where most of the Bedouin population in Israel lives.
The IDF now wants to try and change the situation a little, through a new program called "Derech Hanegev", in which they will try to influence young people, teach them Hebrew, work with them in social involvement and even try and encourage them to enlist. Did not succeed for a long time, but now the IDF hopes to break the formula and try to slightly improve the tension between the parties.
As part of the new plan, units of the Southern Command, including the Givati Brigade, the Nahal Brigade, the ICT Battalion, the Southern Brigade on the Gaza Strip border and the Gaza Headquarters, will adopt schools in the Bedouin localities. Short of the Nabataean base to which the thief broke last February and caused a stir.
"In recent months, the IDF has been in a multi-organizational campaign to strengthen security at bases and strengthen security in the Negev," explains Lt. Col. Liat Shavu, the Southern Command's human resources officer. .
Meeting of IDF commanders and members of the Bedouin community, Photo: IDF Spokesman
The program, launched on Tuesday, initially includes seven IDF units and seven Bedouin schools in the various cities. Within two weeks, the directors of the institutions and unit commanders will present a plan for the coming school year, with the goal of starting cooperation in the first weeks of December. Together in the community and various value-based activities aimed at promoting tolerance and a better common climate, in addition, female teachers will enter the schools and deepen their Hebrew learning, with the understanding that there is a language gap within the Bedouin diaspora.
Is aware of the fact that there is difficulty in making a fundamental change on the ground, and explains that the plan does not purport to make dramatic revolutions.
"We will not be able to fix all the challenges we face, and that is not a goal. We think that if we affect a small piece of God - we may be able to fix something even deeper."
The head of the IDF's Population Directorate, Colonel Shadi Othman, explains that "in this project we are promoting the integration of the Bedouin population in the south into Israeli society, and are working to connect IDF units within the civilian space in the Diaspora and in the Bedouin cities.
The IDF's responsibility to change and influence is the basis of being the people's army, an army that unites every part of Israeli society into one significant body that takes care of us all.
We work in full cooperation with community members who are involved and take part with us in projects, change and lead to a future of peace and a united society.
This project is one of many that we lead to the integration of all populations in the IDF and in Israeli society.