A bride without a home and a groom without a future: the ramifications of Israel’s home demolition policy for young Bedouin men

Israel’s 272,000 Negev/Naqab Bedouins are citizens. Although they were formerly semi-nomads, some 70% of them now live in urban localities as the result of Israel’s policy of urbanization, which was initially state-imposed. However, 30% still live in villages that are not recognized by the state and they lay traditional claim to land there. These villages lack basic infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and water, and construction is prohibited. Every house built is subject to demolition. The home demolition policy continues to this day, especially with regard to young men who build a home so they can marry and have a family. This qualitative study was conducted among 15 young Bedouin men who live in unrecognized villages and whose homes were demolished in the past three years. The findings show that this policy affects their financial, personal, and familial situation and their attitude toward the state. The findings also reveal how they contend with the policy. The study contributes to the literature on administrative home demolitions, which have been relatively less studied than other forms of Israeli home demolition. The authors recommend prioritizing restoring the young men’s trust in the state and its laws and resolution of the issue of the unrecognized villages and the land ownership claims. They also recommend providing therapy and support for the young men whose experience of home demolitions has been traumatic.