Public Meeting in Hura to Discuss the Implications of the "Shikly Plan" in the Negev

SadaNews - The Forum of Arab Authorities in the South, the Regional Council for Unrecognized Villages, and the High Steering Committee for Arab Negev called for an urgent open public meeting to discuss and deliberate the dangerous implications of what they described as the "Shikly Plan" and the Israel Land Authority, known as the "hour order".

The organizers of the meeting explained that the plan aims to confiscate and seize lands in the Negev and threaten the historical rights of the residents, emphasizing the importance of widespread participation in this public gathering.

The meeting is scheduled to be held today, Tuesday, at 5 PM, at the Youth Center in the town of Hura, in person, with a strong emphasis on the importance of attendance and participation in the discussion.

The invitation concluded with a call to unify the public position in confronting these plans, as stated in the joint statement issued by the organizing bodies.

The Popular Committee in Rahat: The 'Shikly' Plan Affects the Rights of Arab Negev and We Call for Its Immediate Halt

The Popular Committee in the city of Rahat, alongside leaders of the Arab community in the Negev, announced their strong rejection of the proposal to amend subsection 6.5 of the Israel Land Authority's decisions booklet, demanding an immediate halt to its presentation and not to endorse it in the upcoming session.

The committee affirmed that the proposed plan carries dangerous and far-reaching implications for the residents of the Negev, especially the Bedouin community, pointing out that it is being pushed forward rapidly without genuine involvement of local leaders or serious community dialogue, and amid clear disregard for social conditions and cultural considerations.

The statement added that this step affects fundamental rights, foremost among them the right to ownership and the right to self-planning, considering that it imposes a reality that limits residents' ability to manage their affairs and develop their towns in accordance with their needs and social identity.

The committee also warned that the proposal will undermine the role of the local Bedouin authorities and reduce their powers in planning and expansion, negatively reflecting on the future of development in the region.

In conclusion, the committee stressed the necessity of opening a genuine dialogue and community partnership with representatives of the residents to reach a fair and agreed-upon settlement, instead of imposing unilateral solutions that increase tensions and harm the social fabric in the Negev.