Israel sues Bedouin for $500,000 in eviction costs

Gerald · 07-27-11, 08:12 PM

Israel is suing a group of Bedouin in the Negev desert for the costs of demolishing their village each time they rebuild it.

The claim for more than $500,000 in damages was lodged at an Israeli court on Tuesday.

Israel's justice ministry says the aim is to "maintain the rule of law and the public purse".

The Bedouin say they will continue to reconstruct their homes in al-Araqib, to which they claim historic rights.

The Israeli state is the registered owner of the land to the south of the Negev city of Rahat.

The Bedouin say they have repeatedly asked for planning permits for their makeshift homes but they have been refused. The Israeli authorities say the land is reserved for agricultural use.

Last July, an eviction order was issued and Israeli security forces moved in to destroy 45 homes, animal pens and other structures.

Since then the Israeli authorities have demolished structures in al-Araqib more than 20 times. Each time, the Bedouin return and rebuild.
Bedouin defiance

Israel's justice ministry says the defendants have not respected legal rulings and continue to build illegally.

In a long statement it said the civil lawsuit was launched to reclaim the "heavy costs to the state" of demolitions - including the use of heavy equipment and police security.

The case brought by the Southern District Prosecution is directed at 34 people.

"What's happening is political at the end of the day," a Bedouin spokesman, Awad Abu Freih, told the BBC. "They want to scare us in order to prevent us from rebuilding. They want to make Araqib an example to others.

"But that will never happen. This court case will not deter us. We are going to rebuild again," he said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14314883

Note: 27 July 2011 Last updated at 15:14 GMT

07-27-11, 08:12 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Israel sues Bedouin for $500,000 in eviction costs Israel is suing a group of Bedouin in the Negev desert for the costs of demolishing their village each time they rebuild it. The claim for more than $500,000 in damages was lodged at an Israeli court on Tuesday. Israel's justice ministry says the aim is to "maintain the rule of law and the public purse". The Bedouin say they will continue to reconstruct their homes in al-Araqib, to which they claim historic rights. The Israeli state is the registered owner of the land to the south of the Negev city of Rahat. The Bedouin say they have repeatedly asked for planning permits for their makeshift homes but they have been refused. The Israeli authorities say the land is reserved for agricultural use. Last July, an eviction order was issued and Israeli security forces moved in to destroy 45 homes, animal pens and other structures. Since then the Israeli authorities have demolished structures in al-Araqib more than 20 times. Each time, the Bedouin return and rebuild. Bedouin defiance Israel's justice ministry says the defendants have not respected legal rulings and continue to build illegally. In a long statement it said the civil lawsuit was launched to reclaim the "heavy costs to the state" of demolitions - including the use of heavy equipment and police security. The case brought by the Southern District Prosecution is directed at 34 people. "What's happening is political at the end of the day," a Bedouin spokesman, Awad Abu Freih, told the BBC. "They want to scare us in order to prevent us from rebuilding. They want to make Araqib an example to others. "But that will never happen. This court case will not deter us. We are going to rebuild again," he said. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14314883 Note: 27 July 2011 Last updated at 15:14 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie