AL-ARAQIB, Naqab—The Israeli police and the so-called Negev Development Authority, the Yoav unit, on Thursday demolished the Bedouin al-Araqib village for the 178th time. This village is deprived of recognition in the Negev and is under constant threat of displacement and eviction.

Local official `Aziz al-Turi said that “Israeli authorities are increasing the village inhabitants’ suffering, and continue to demolish their tents and this time as several times before; they left them homeless and will suffer from the hot weather conditions and the Corona pandemic.”

The demolition comes 24 hours before the comprehensive closure imposed by the Israeli government under the pretext of limiting the spread of the coronavirus and in light of the heatwave occurring in the country.

In statements issued in the second half of last month, al-Turi called on the Arab community leaders to intervene to stop the occupation authorities` continuous provocations despite the hot weather conditions.

The Israeli authorities continue to demolish al-Araqib village since 2000 in their repeated attempts to push the villagers to frustration and despair and displace them from their lands.

Israeli authorities are also harassing the people of al-Araqib in several ways, the most recent of which was the conviction and imprisonment of Sheikh Sayyah al-Turi, and the arrest of his two sons, Saif and Aziz, in addition to the activist Salim al-Turi, on several charges under the pretext of unauthorized construction and alleged appropriation of state lands.

Original article

Photo: Negev Development Authority’s Yoav Unit in al-Araqib, 18 September 2020. Source: PIC.