This Brief provides a contextual framework for exploring the settlement rights of Israel's
Bedouin population of the Negev desert a traditionally pastoral nomadic Arab population. In
1948 the Israeli government relocated this population from the Negev region to settlements in
Siyag. The explicit aim was to control the Negev area for security purposes sedentarize a
nomadic people and to improve their living conditions and bring them into the modern economy.
Since then many of the Bedouin population have continued to urbanize moving into smaller
towns and cities while some remain in the settlement. The Israeli government's has recently
proposed a new settlement policy towards the Bedouin population that would expel many from
their current homes which came into recent controversy with the UN Human Rights commission
causing it to be withdrawn. Israel as a whole has very complex social cultural and political
fabric with territorial uncertainties. This Brief aims to provide an overview of the current
situation provide a theoretical historical and legal context explore barriers to
implementation of previously proposed policies and provide potential solutions to improve
individual and collective stability and balance the cultural and territorial needs of the
Bedouin population with the larger goals of the Israeli government. This work will be of
interest to researchers studying Israel specifically as well as researchers in urban planning
public policy and issues related to indigenous populations and human rights.
