The Bedouin Arabs in the Israeli army

Subject: IR

Section: Places in news

Who are the Bedouin Arabs in the Israeli army:

The Bedouins are a nomadic Muslim Arab people who live mainly in the Negev desert of southern Israel.
They have traditionally been pastoralists with no powerful or exclusive national affiliation, who would, until about a century and a half ago, wander the area between Saudi Arabia and the Sinai with their livestock.

How did the Bedouins come to join the Israel Defence Forces (IDF):

Bedouin transitioned from nomadic to settled life during Ottoman rule.
They aided early Jewish settlers and provided intelligence in the 1948-49 Arab-Israeli war.
In the 1950s, many Bedouin were recognized as Israeli citizens, and settlements were built for them.
Bedouin continued to serve in the IDF, mainly in scouting roles.
Specialized Bedouin search and rescue units were created in 2003.
A memorial was inaugurated in 1993 to honor Bedouin soldiers, and the Garden of the Broken Heart is dedicated to those with unknown burial places.

Is it compulsory for the Bedouin to train with the IDF:

No. Army training is compulsory only for the Jewish population of Israel. However, many Bedouin youth also volunteer.

To what extent are the Bedouin integrated in Israeli society:

Many Bedouin serving in desert reconnaissance units come from northern Israel, where they have coexisted with Jewish and Arab communities since the 1950s.
Some Bedouin who underwent army conscription found it helped them appreciate Jewish culture, despite initial language challenges.
The Bedouin population in Israel is around 210,000, with a significant presence in the Negev desert.
In 2020, Israel appointed its first Bedouin ambassador, and the first Bedouin high-tech company, Sadel Technologies, was founded by a Bedouin.
In 2022, the Israeli government launched Operation Negev Shield to promote Bedouin community integration through educational programs and visits by IDF officers to schools in Bedouin communities.