Photos: Oren Ziv, Yotam Ronen / Activestills.org, text: Sapir Amram-Slutzker (translated by Sol Salbe)

The Israeli government destroyed the Bedouin village of Al-Arakib on Thursday. The demolition comes after lengthy court battle between the Israel Lands Authority (ILA) and the residents of the village. To date, Al-Arakib has been demolished over 60 times since 2010.

However, Thursday’s demolition marked the first time that authorities destroyed homes that had previously been untouched inside cemetery area, as well as large shack that served as a makeshift mosque.

A bulldozer destroys a structure in the village of Al-Arakib. (photo: Activestills.org)

Residents of Al-Arakib, along with several Israeli activists, are currently located in the cemetery, surrounded by a large police force.

Israeli policemen stand by as a bulldozer demolishes the Bedouin village of Al-Arakib for the 64th time (photo: Activestills.org)

The residents appealed the evacuation order to the Be’er Sheva District Court, including a request to suspend the eviction until the appeal is heard. The police, however, refused to stop the eviction and wait for a decision.

Read: In Al-Arakib, even the dead face eviction

The residents are calling on activists to get to the location and organize demonstrations across the country in protest of their eviction and expulsion from their homes.

Residents of Al-Arakib watch as their village is destroyed. (photo: Activestills.org)

 

Read this story in Hebrew on Local Call.

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In Al-Arakib, even the dead face eviction

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