The Bedouin of the land of Israel — Settlement and changes

Abstract

Bedouin sedentarization in the Land of Israel during the present century is only part of a far wider settlement phenomenon, but there is a sharp contrast between the two. The Bedouin of the Land of Israel can be considered unique since they underwent drastic transitions in a country whose culture, political regime and economic structure are predominantly Western in nature. Even though they are to be found in many parts of Israel and at times were subject to different political regimes, the Bedouin have remained an extremely individual group. Changes in the life style of the Bedouin began towards the end of the Ottoman era. They continued to live in tents, but increasingly engaged in dry farming and built warehouses for storing grain. Several of the tribes could thus be regarded as “semi-nomadic”. The circumstances of Bedouin sedentarization in the Land of Israel are varied, though inter-related — the basic primary condition was the presence of a strong central government capable of maintaining public security in all areas coming under its jurisdiction. As a result several traditional sources of income such as robbery and demanding “protection fees” were abandoned and the “newly acquired” labour force sought alternative employment. Similarly the division of the Ottoman Empire, the establishment of new and recognized borders throughout the Middle East and the introduction of motor vehicles played an important role in abolishing these age-old sources of income. The British Government and the Jewish immigration were responsible for the development of the country from 1920 onwards. This resulted in two changes: (1) agriculture took over land that had been used for grazing; (2) the relative demographic and political powers of the Bedouin were weakened. The main factors influencing Bedouin sedentarization in the Land of Israel were the following. (1) The new conditions provided work as hired labourers, which compensated the Bedouin for the loss of traditional sources of income, and enabled the increasing population to sustain itself. (2) Greater public security made settlement possible and enabled some to develop irrigated agriculture. (3) Demand for hired labourers caused immigration to the towns in Israel, to the West Bank, East Jordan, and to the oil countries. Drought in some areas also influenced the immigration. There were two additional factors. (1) Since permanent settlers became the major power in the Land, their cultural influence on the Bedouin, who were now dependent upon them, became stronger. (2) The establishment of permanent schools became feasible and the Bedouin allowed their sons to receive a formal education and forgo herding flocks, which necessitated sedentarization. The characteristics of the “Bedouin rural settlements” are the following. They are usually unplanned, lack infrastructure and are generally widely dispersed. It is difficult to locate a settlement-centre and services are virtually non-existent. In several areas a continuum of Bedouin settlements can be distinguished which constitutes a settlement-complex. However no interaction as regards economies, services or institutions can be discerned within the complex. The residential pattern of the village is concurrent with the subdivisions of groups of families, the subunits of the tribes. Several Bedouin settlements in Israel are being replanned in compliance with Bedouin requests and clear signs of modernization are becoming evident. During the sixties, the Israeli government started building planned settlements for the Bedouin which they willingly accepted. By the eighties or nineties, it is expected that the majority of Bedouin in Israel will live in planned settlements and most of the remainder will take advantage of the replanned settlements and accomodations in towns. Bedouin settlements in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) will be modernized and it is probable that some will migrate to the local cities and neighboring countries. The role of the authorities in influencing Bedouin settlements and sedentarization processes will no doubt intensify in the near future. All this leads us to the conclusion that in the Land of Israel we are now seeing the end of nomadism and semi-nomadism.