The Bedouins have been on a war footing for four days, considering that the JNF invaded the lands of the Al-Atrash clan, which, according to Israel, are state property.
Thousands of Bedouins took to the streets since Wednesday and blocked the roads, to which the police responded with less-than-lethal ammunition and tear gas.
Dozens of protesters were arrested and there are reports of numerous injuries from both sides.
Given this situation, the Islamist United Arab List party (better known by Raam) threatened to no longer support the far-right Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
In an attempt to reach an agreement, a meeting was held on Thursday between the Minister of Social Affairs, Meir Cohen, who heads the Bedouin National Authority, and representatives of the Israel Land Authority, whose leaders insist on planting trees without restrictions.
In the face of this situation, Faiz Abu Sahiben, mayor of the town of Rahat and a leading figure in Raam, warned that the government will fall if the Fund’s campaign is not completely stopped. However, Housing Minister Ze’ev Elkin, considered a hawk, has promised that the tree planting will continue.
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