'Proposal to regulate Bedouin settlements is prize for lawbreakers'

Minister Rafi Peretz announced at the cabinet meeting that he opposes regulating the Bedouin localities in the Negev, "This proposal to establish the Bedouin localities is a reward for lawbreakers."

He said, "I know this whole area closely from the days when I flew there, there is no Jewish contiguity in the Negev today. We are losing our grip on the Negev.

"It is a shame to me that the residents of Judea and Samaria, the pioneers of us all, Sde Boaz, Abigail, Nofei Nehemiah, it is simply a shame that the issue of establishing isolated settlements arises without addressing our brothers who settle in Judea and Samaria. I strongly oppose this proposal! Neither in her spirit nor in the manner in which it was served. I request that a change in reference to Uvda Reserve and tourism ventures be detailed. It is not possible to approve tourism initiatives that will become fake communities. I will not give it a hand in any way and demand that the regulation of the young localities be brought to the government as soon as possible," he added.