Israel to demolish a Bedouin village next month, build a Jewish town in its place

Israeli bulldozer destroying um al-hiran

+972 staff write, “Israeli authorities handed out demolition orders to the entire Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran on Wednesday, as part of a plan to demolish and expel its residents before replacing it with the Jewish town Hiran. According to the authorities, the evacuation of the village will begin at the end of April.”

“The village, located in Israel’s Negev Desert, has been under threat of demolition for over two decades, but the plan officially went into motion in 2013 when the Israeli cabinet officially approved its demolition and replacement by “Hiran,” the Jewish town slated to take Umm al-Hiran’s place. Authorities plan to evacuate the residents to the nearby Bedouin township of Hura.”

“Over the past week, Israeli police have been patrolling the village, although police say preparations for evacuation have yet to commence. According to Haaretz, head of the Bedouin resettlement authority, Yair Maayan, says all the structures un the villages, including one used for prayer, will be demolished. According to the Israeli government, Umm al-Hiran is considered an “unrecognized village,” and thus is vulnerable to repeated home demolitions, and does not enjoy the benefits of electricity, running water, or infrastructure.” (read more)