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Source: http://www.i24news.tv/en/opinion/130814-the-struggle-for-a-bright-future-in-the-negev
Israel Helping the Bedouin Move into the 21st Century
(i24 News) Doron Almog - Negev Bedouin leader Sheikh Uda Zanoon has reached agreement with the State of Israel to establish a modern Bedouin settlement for his tribe near the Israeli town of Yeruham. The settlement will be planned with the full participation of the 300 families of the Uda Zanoon tribe, who today are without basic infrastructure, such as electricity, running water and roads. The Israeli government has decided to allocate $2.6 billion to resolve land disputes and promote economic development within the Bedouin sector. The plan includes building thousands of new housing units, expanding and developing existing settlements and establishing new Bedouin settlements. The guiding principle is to push for a dramatic improvement in Bedouin quality of life without harming tradition. Maj.-Gen. (res.) Doron Almog is the Director of the Headquarters for Economic and Community Development of the Negev Bedouin in the Prime Minister's Office, and former Head of the IDF Southern Command.