The Judge Goldberg Report from a Practical Point of View
By: Gilad Altman and Adi Arbel
Introduction:
During the fourteen years between 1990 and 2004, Gilad Altman served as the director of the "Sayeret HaYeruka" and played an active role in the issue discussed in the Committee Report. From the experience he obtained, and from the knowledge amassed during his meetings with experts as part of the Lands Committee of the Institute for Zionist Strategies, the writers of this article seek to shed light on the central strong and weak points of the report in light of an analysis of the issue of Bedouin Settlement Land Arrangements in the Negev. The writers additionally present practical suggestions for reaching a suitable, comprehensive, real and quick solution to the concern at hand.
In December 2007, Judge Goldberg was appointed to chair the Public Committee for the Proposal of Bedouin Settlement Arrangement Policy for the Negev. A year later, in December 2008, the committee submitted its proposals to the Minister of Housing.
The committee's mandate, as determined by the government resolution was as follows: "The committee is to submit its proposal for the creation of a comprehensive, extensive and implementable plan that is to set the rules for an arrangement for the Bedouin settlement in the Negev that is to include levels of compensation, arrangements for the allotment of alternative lands, civil enforcement and a timetable for the implementation of arrangements, including proposals for legislation, as required".
The Bedouin issue is a complex issue comprised of a number of challenges. Only serious confrontation and a proper response to these challenges will allow us to reach a comprehensive arrangement for the issue. Ignoring any one of the many obstacles will eventually ruin the chances of reaching an arrangement. Among the many challenges that must be overcome to resolve the Bedouin issue are: their claims of possession over the land, the lack of enforcement of building and planning laws, the lack of foundations, a low level of economic development, sparse settlement in a western state, polygamy and an accelerated birthrate. Read More