Israel/Palestine

Using Bedouin issue as an anti-Israel propaganda tool
Op-ed: In a bid to present Israel as an enterprise of oppression, discrimination and expulsion, the coalition of incitement and deception is concealing the facts about the state's generous offer to Bedouin families in the Negev.
Ben-Dror Yemini|Published: 11.05.15 , 19:03

...The facts are, first of all, that the Bedouin expansion to the compound allotted to Hiran began only after the decision was made to build the new community. It's written in the ruling. There are aerial photos that prove it. But Gross wasn't wrong. He misled his readers. If there is an opportunity to spread another lie about the Zionist expulsion, the coalition of deception and incitement will seize that opportunity.

Secondly, most of the Bedouins who were in the areas discussed by the Supreme Court willingly accepted the arrangement proposed by the state, according to the Prawer outline. The outline included generous land allotments in the adjacent recognized community of Hura, including an exemption from payment for the land, an exemption from payment for infrastructures and additional compensation for the transfer.

Thirdly, up until two years ago, the Regional Council of Unrecognized Villages of Negev – which are at the heart of the conflict – was headed by Ibrahim Aloquili, who tried to advance an arrangement with the state. The members of the coalition of incitement and deception didn't like it. They worked to present him as a collaborator and oust him. Why? Because radical elements wanted a militant line. "Aloquili has been seen for a long time now as a person who is sabotaging the attempts of other leaders to advance a more hawkish line vis-à-vis the government," they argued. The picture is becoming clear.

Other solutions can and may be presented. The Supreme Court's decision can be criticized. But that's not what Haaretz did. It misled its readers. It failed to mention the fact that most Bedouins supported the arrangement without being forced to. It failed to mention the fact that the Bedouins expanded to the community of Hiran only after it was decided to build it. It failed to mention the fact that the Bedouins' families are not being thrown out on the street but are receiving a generous arrangement from the state. Why were these facts concealed from the readers? We know the answer. It's not criticism; it's incitement and deception.

Not everyone who opposes the Prawer Plan is an enemy of the State of Israel or the Zionist enterprise. But for many, the Bedouin issue has turned into another propaganda tool as part of the attempt to present Israel, and the entire Zionist enterprise, as an enterprise of oppression, discrimination and expulsion. This is the reason why the campaign has become international.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4656018,00.html