Petition in support of the Bedouin village of Al-Araqib

Consider signing a petition in support of the Bedouin village of Al-Araqib, which was just demolished for the fourth time. You can also help by spreading the word.
Thanks,
Racheli.

"As American Jews and others who care deeply for Israel, we join with many Israelis, both Jewish and Arab, in raising our voices in protest at the destruction of the Bedouin village of Al-Arakib in the Negev and the forcible removal by some 1,500 Israeli police of over 300 Bedouin Israeli citizens – mostly children – leaving them homeless, expelled from their land, and bereft of their possessions.

On July 27, bulldozers from the Israel Lands Administration (ILA) demolished their homes, sheep pens, fruit orchards and olive tree groves, so that a forest can be planted on their land near Beersheva.

The residents of the village have started to rebuild their homes, but ILA bulldozers and the Israel Police have demolished the new buildings twice during the past week.

Over 2,000 Israelis have already signed a Hebrew petition to Prime Minister Netanyahu calling for an end to the destruction of Bedouin villages in Israel and a just and comprehensive solution to the plight of Israel's Bedouin Palestinian Arab citizens in the Negev. We join them in solidarity. A group of over 50 prominent scholars, artists, rabbis, writers and NGO leaders have endorsed this petition.

Please click on "Take Action" on the right side of this page, add your name and your protest message will be emailed right now to Prime Minister Netanyahu's office.

Co-sponsored by Rabbis for Human Rights-North America, Meretz USA, the Shalom Center, The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring, Jewish Voice for Peace, Tikkun and the Network of Spiritual Progressives, and Tikun Olam - a big tent of groups that differ ideologically but have come together in support of this petition.

To read the full text of the petition and to sign it, go to http://www.change.org/petitions/view/end_the_destruction_of_bedouin_villages_in_israel

If you've already signed the petition in Hebrew, no need to sign again.

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Jewish Peace News editors:
Joel Beinin
Racheli Gai
Rela Mazali
Sarah Anne Minkin
Judith Norman
Lincoln Z. Shlensky
Rebecca Vilkomerson
Alistair Welchman
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