How these Bedouin in Israel are working to save their village
After 107 demolitions, the residents of al-Araqib are gaining international attention through a social media campaign.
AL-ARAQIB, Israel — Every Sunday at 3 p.m., several dozen residents and supporters of al-Araqib gather alongside a highway to protest the government’s repeated demolition of the dusty Bedouin settlement in Israel’s southern Negev.
It’s one of al-Araqib’s many unfortunate routines: Residents say they own the land and refuse Israel’s orders to leave; legal proceedings and fines ensue; authorities demolish tents and homes; people rebuild, and intimidation and protests follow — and each time al-Araqib’s status becomes ever more precarious.
