The Israel Lands Authority (ILA) has successfully cleared out 1,400 dunams (350 acres, 1.4 square kilometers) of Negev land illegally taken over by Bedouins. The Bedouin had illegally squatted and planted on the land over the winter.
The operation, which ended on Tuesday, took place in three locations: east of Be’er Sheva, near Nevatim, and near Dimona. This brings the total area of Negev land thus ploughed over this year to 7,400 dunams (7.4 square kilometers).
In addition to illegal planting, Bedouin vandals uprooted hundreds of saplings planted last month for Tu B’Shvat. One such criminal was caught red-handed by ILA inspectors, and is now under police investigation.
Two Shekels a Year
“The ILA rents out 100,000 dunams of land for seasonal planting to Bedouin tribes,” the ILA announced, “at a rental price of only two shekels a year per dunam. Despite this, the Bedouin attempt to take over the land on a permanent basis… Their claims that some of the lands belonged to their families in the past have not been proven or accepted by any court.”