Launch of the Bedouin Society’s Online Database in the Negev

The Nagabiya: Bedouin Society Knowledge and Research Center (The Nagabiya Center), founded by the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality in 2023, has published the first Statistical Yearbook of the Bedouin Society. The project addresses the lack of research on Bedouin communities in the Negev, particularly unrecognized villages. The center focuses on key socio-economic issues, collects data through public databases and community fieldwork, and publishes reports and interactive platforms.  Nagabiya’s work, rooted in activism and collaboration with communities, third-sector organizations, and academia, aims to reflect Bedouin realities and promote evidence-based policymaking. 

On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, a celebratory event was held in collaboration with Ben-Gurion University to mark the launch of the yearbook. The event was attended by Prof. Sarab Abu Rabia, Vice President of Ben-Gurion University; Talal al-Krinawi, the Mayor of Rahat; the Forum of Heads of Bedouin Municipalities in the Negev; and other prominent figures. 

Talal al-Krinawi shares, “As of today, we have data with which we can approach government ministries.” This data is now available on Nagabiya’s website, featuring dynamic, field-specific statistics on Bedouin society in the Negev, covering demographics, employment, wages, education, higher education, transportation, and housing. 

The event included three panels: Education and Higher Education, Employment, Transportation, and Housing. Below is a summary of the key topics and data presented during each session. 

Education and Higher Education: 

• Kindergarten Attendance Rates: Alarming data was shared regarding kindergarten enrollment, particularly in unrecognized villages. One out of every six children in the Bedouin community in the Negev is not enrolled in or attending kindergarten. In unrecognized villages, for every child enrolled in kindergarten, eight children are not. 

• School Dropout Phenomenon: The Ministry of Education’s report on school dropouts was discussed. The data obscures the full extent of the dropout issue, with a gap of approximately 16% between the number of students enrolled in the education system and the number of children in the same age group, according to the Population Authority. 

• Low Performance in Education: The education system’s achievements were found to be underwhelming, particularly in terms of the percentage of students eligible for matriculation exams who meet university entry requirements. 

• Higher Education: Data presented indicated that 81% of undergraduate students and 76% of master’s degree students in Bedouin society are women. 

Employment: 

• Shared Spaces in Employment: The positive impact of shared employment spaces, such as the one in Rahat, was discussed as a model for growth. 

• Employment Decline: A decline of 8.61% in Bedouin employment participation between 2019 and 2023 (prior to October 7). 

• Earning Below Minimum Wage: A significant rise in the number of Bedouin workers earning below the minimum wage was noted, with the figure estimated at 63%. 

Housing: 

• Housing Density: The housing shortage was reflected in the actual density index, which shows that Bedouin localities in 2022 had an average of 73 residents per dunam, compared to 25 in Jewish localities and 29 in non-Bedouin Arab localities. 

• Building Permits: The rate of building permits issued per 1,000 residents in Bedouin society is only 42% of the corresponding national average. Furthermore, between 2015 and 2022, the number of building permits dropped by 33%. 

• Increase in Building Demolitions: The number of building demolitions in Bedouin society increased by 15% in 2023 compared to the previous year, and by 206% compared to 2014. 

The availability of this comprehensive data and research is essential for the formulation of targeted policies and initiatives to drive future development in Bedouin society in the Negev.