The State Attorney’s Office filed a civil lawsuit Tuesday morning for the sum of 1,790,000 shekels against a Bedouin clan that invaded territory south of Rahat. The State wants compensation for the cost in incurred in the eviction of the Bedouin squatters from the territory, known as Al Arakib.
The land was used for agriculture until members of the Al Touri family, who have no legal rights to the land, began a series of invasions into it. Over the years, the Bedouin built 45 illegal structures on the land, whch has belonged to the State since the 1950s.
Legal proceedings against the Al Touris were initiated in 1999. After the Magistrates’ and District Courts decided against the Bedouin, the matter reached the High Court, which also found that the family has no right to the land.
Despite this, the clan continued to occupy and build on the land.
The State decided to evict the squatters by force and a date was set for the operation – July 27, 2010. In order to carry out the eviction with minimal risk of casualties, large forces were assigned by the police and other enforcement branches.
A helicopter was employed, as were bulldozers and other heavy machinery.
After the eviction was completed, the Al Touris re-invaded the territory and had to be re-evicted. This has happened over 20 since, the State says. The repeated evictions cost the State large sums of money, which it now seeks to recover from the defendants.