Newly released statistics show that within 16 years, there may well be a Bedouin majority in the Negev. So reports "Ohr Mesimot," a movement for Jewish settlement in the Negev.
MK Uri Ariel (National Union) toured the Negev on Sunday with Ohr Mesimot representatives, and promised to help them procure government funding for their settlement activities.
Roni Palmar of Ohr Mesimot says that the population in the Negev currently comprises 230,000 Jews and 160,000 Bedouin. The Jews thus already comprise less than 60% - and the proportion is dropping, as the Bedouin double their numbers every 15 years.
In the city of Rahat alone, Palmar told MK Ariel, 30 Bedouin babies are born each day. Rahat Mayor Talal Karnawi has said, "Since every day I have a new kindergarten born, in the end I will win."
MK Ariel said he would enlist to strengthen the Jewish presence in the Negev, including working to allocate land for new Jewish communities. New towns on the drawing board include Kasif, Ira, Haruv, Mersham and Hemdat HaMidbar. He said that existing moshavim and Kibbutzim in the Negev should be expanded, as well as, of course, the new young towns of Merhav Am and Givot Bar.
MK Uri Ariel (National Union) toured the Negev on Sunday with Ohr Mesimot representatives, and promised to help them procure government funding for their settlement activities.
Roni Palmar of Ohr Mesimot says that the population in the Negev currently comprises 230,000 Jews and 160,000 Bedouin. The Jews thus already comprise less than 60% - and the proportion is dropping, as the Bedouin double their numbers every 15 years.
In the city of Rahat alone, Palmar told MK Ariel, 30 Bedouin babies are born each day. Rahat Mayor Talal Karnawi has said, "Since every day I have a new kindergarten born, in the end I will win."
MK Ariel said he would enlist to strengthen the Jewish presence in the Negev, including working to allocate land for new Jewish communities. New towns on the drawing board include Kasif, Ira, Haruv, Mersham and Hemdat HaMidbar. He said that existing moshavim and Kibbutzim in the Negev should be expanded, as well as, of course, the new young towns of Merhav Am and Givot Bar.