COVID-19 is Temporary, the Negev is Permanent Author: Regavim Movement Yesterday, we participated in an important hearing in the Knesset Subcommittee on Negev Affairs. The hearing was about monitoring the implementation of the State Comptroller’s report on regulating Bedouin settlement in the Negev. We salute MK Shlomo Karhi of the "Likud" party, for initiating the hearing, raising this important issue, and kicking off a series of discussions on the matter. As the entire world, including Israel, struggles with the Coronavirus, it’s easy to forget about everything else. The Israeli government has been directing most of its efforts and attention to fighting the pandemic and its many repercussions. But we must not forget about other crucial issues! While the pandemic will be over at some point, the Negev will still be here. We call on the government to monitor the situation on the ground and continue to advance the plan for regulating Bedouin settlement in the Negev. We are firm believers that illegal Bedouin squatter camps are at odds with Israel’s national interest and detrimental to residents of the Negev. Instead of living in dangerous, impoverished, illegal squatter camps, Bedouins ought to be living in permanent settlements with running water, electricity, drainage, etc. Source: Regavim's Facebook page