The development of the ‘planned bedouin settlement’ in Israel 1964–1982: evaluation and characteristics

Tribal traditions are facing a severe crisis in modern society. The bedouin in Israel form a small group (13%) within the state's Arab minority, and they completed their transition stage towards settled habits in the middle of the present century with the establishment of a relatively high number of villages and hamlets. For a variety of reasons such a high number of settlements is considered ‘undesirable’ by the state. It is the object of this paper to examine the state planning of bedouin settlement as a part of the policy of concentrating bedouin groups. It also sheds light on tribal reaction towards this policy.