Mayor Faez Abu-Sahiban of the Bedouin town of Rahat in the Negev recently announced a “total war” against an estimated 2,000 Arabs who came to the town from Gaza and the Palestinian Authority-assigned areas of Judea and Samaria. Abu-Sahiban announced that he intends to use a “heavy hand” together with the police and to kick out the illegals in two weeks' time.

While the PA Arabs' reputation as a cheap work force tempted the local Bedouin to let them into the town, the locals say that their presence has become a nuisance and is causing a spike in crime, including arms dealing and drug trade. The visitors have been accused of harassing young local women, and Rahat elders and leaders are concerned that their very presence could damage the fabric of the Bedouin family unit.