On Wednesday morning, August 7th, Israeli authorities, accompanied by a large contingent of heavily armed police forces, demolished a home in the Bedouin village of Umm Batin. Despite heavy opposition from residents who gathered and protested against the demolition forces, which included holding a sit-in inside the house threatened by the demolition order, the Abu Kaf family’s home, which had housed generations, was left in ruins.
This demolition is part of a broader strategy by the Netanyahu government, which has been accused of targeting its own Palestinian Arab citizens which, in the words of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, pose as an “internal front.”
The recent demolition in Umm Batin highlights the impact of the expanded enforcement powers granted to Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. Backed by the Kaminitz Law, which criminalizes building violations and intensifies enforcement through increased demolitions, fines, and penalties, Ben-Gvir now has significant authority to pursue aggressive measures against Palestinian Arab communities with minimal regard for due process.
The Kaminitz Law, enacted to tighten regulations on unauthorized construction, disproportionately affects Palestinian Arabs who are often denied building permits. This lack of formal recognition forces many to construct homes without official approval, making them vulnerable to punitive actions. The law has been criticized for being applied selectively, targeting Palestinian Arab communities while Jewish settlements, even those deemed illegal by the UN, continue to expand.
More than 100,000 Palestinian Arab citizens in the Naqab (Negev) live in tents and dilapidated structures, either on their land or on government-designated relocation areas. Despite the establishment of hundreds of Jewish settlements across the country, the Israeli government consistently denies Palestinian Arabs in the Naqab the right to build on their ancestral lands.
Deploying a large number of police officers to demolish a house in a small village amid ongoing conflict exacerbates the housing crisis rather than addressing it. The actions of the Israeli government suggest a reluctance to work towards peaceful solutions and an intent to further marginalize its Palestinian Arab citizens, including professionals who strive to contribute to society.
The demolition has sparked significant criticism from political leaders and advocacy groups. Hadash Knesset Member Yousef Atawna, originally from the Naqab, condemned the actions, calling for an end to what he described as a “racist war” against the Palestinian Arab residents. He stated, “From the day he took office, the failed minister declared war on the Bedouin society in the Naqab, and instead of finding solutions for the citizens he is entrusted with maintaining their safety and well-being, he destroys, evicts, exterminates, and leaves whole families and children homeless and without any property.”
Knesset Member Ofer Cassif has also criticized Ben-Gvir’s policies, highlighting the severe consequences of transferring enforcement powers to him and pointing out the false claims made about the residents.
The Haifa-based Mossawa Center – the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens of Israel, released a statement in solidarity with the affected communities and reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of Palestinian Arab citizens. Mossawa Center Director Jafar Farah stated, “The police officers sent today on the orders of Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir serve his political agenda, which is designed to create hostility and hatred between Jews and Palestinian Arabs from the sea to the river. Every effort must be made to stop the war and prevent the Netanyahu government from causing further bloodshed.”
The organization called on the international community and local authorities to address these injustices and work towards sustainable solutions that respect the rights and needs of all residents. Moreover, it emphasizes that the actions of Netanyahu and his far-right ministers stem from an ideology of occupation that has caused immense suffering in Gaza and the West Bank. The Mossawa Center urged the international community to act swiftly to bring about a permanent ceasefire and to commit to rebuilding and restoring the lives destroyed in these regions.
So what’s wrong with enforcement of laws?