IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi is taking on Bedouin religious leaders, having sent the prime minister and other senior officials a letter warning against the decline in motivation to serve in the IDF among members of the Bedouin community. The IDF commander explains the reason is due to the message of incitement and threats made against community members exhibiting a willingness to serve in the IDF. This message is being delivered by Bedouin religious leaders.

Recipients of the IDF commander’s letter include Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Police Chief Dudi Cohen and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter.

The crux of his letter speaks of the growing opposition in the Bedouin community regarding IDF service, the result of the increase in opposition from the community’s religious leaders. He adds that Israel’s ‘powers that be’ have turned a blind eye to the relatively new trend even though they are well aware of the alarming reality. He adds that the Bedouins are “taking over the Negev,” referring to widespread illegal construction, and they are also involved in cross-border drug smuggling and less frequently, in terror activities.

“It is entirely possible that the next Intifada will be in the Negev,” warns Ashkenazi, who explains that the height of the new opposition was evident during Israel’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

An unnamed “senior official” quoted in the daily Yisrael HaYom newspaper adds that while the commander is calling to stop the inciters, “we must realize that each Bedouin who serves brings his whole gang along and this leads to increased allegiance and support of the State of Israel.”

Officials in Minister Dichter’s officer confirm reports that a meeting was held as a result of the IDF commander’s letter between Dichter and the police chief, and they decided that the deputy southern district commander of Israel Police will investigate the facts on the ground regarding the southern area Bedouin community and report back in the coming days as to his findings.

It should be pointed out that IDF service for members of the Bedouin community is voluntary. In 2007, 220 members of the community served in the military while in 2004, that number was 390. Defense Ministry officials attribute the decline to the growing influence of the Islamic Movement and the growing feeling of intimidation and fear among members of the Bedouin community.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)