The Regional Council of Unrecognized Bedouin Villages was created in 1997 by more than fifty leaders from across the Negev, tired of being denied access to the political process. Among the prominent leaders of this group were the following nine individuals:
Hussein al-Rafay’a from Bir Hammam, current president of the RCUV, Lubad abu Afash from Wadi al-Na’am, Salman al-Asam from Khirbat al-Watan , Hussein al-Atrash from al-Mkaimin, Saaed al-Uqby from al-Qrein, Ali al-Kashakhr from Tel Arad, and Ibrahim al-Waqily from Bir al-Mashash, Attiyah al-Asam from Abu Tlul, Jabr abu Kaf from Um Batin. However, these nine would not have succeeded had it not been for the support of dozens of others, among them Dr Amir al-Wuzail, Khalil al-Ammur and others. Attiyah al-A’sam was the first head of the council. He is currently the point man for the Forty Committee in the Negev. Jabr Abu Kaf was the second head elected for the council. Hussein Al–Rafay’a is the current head of the regional council.
They started by forming 45 committees, one in each of the unrecognized villages, which were then assembled into a council, the Regional Council of Unrecognized Villages. The work of the RCUV expanded, as did our reputation on both sides of the political fence, until the RCUV became recognized as a legitimate political action body, and one that was created by the new generation to meet the needs of a changed world.
i am shocked by the continued demolitions although I should not be as dmolitions have never stopped. i hope Israel will come to its senses and turn over a new leaf, negociate for peace, and not do to others what it does not want done to itself. Palestinians like Israelis have rights to the land and to their cemetaries. I think the UN should move in and US should stop its support to Israel for wanton killing and destruction. Please work out another way to send money as we are wary of posting on the computer.
By: Gilda katz on August 14, 2010
at 1:26 pm