The first conference of the National Center for Knowledge and Research on Bedouin Arab Society in the Negev was held at Sapir Academic College, with the participation of over 350 attendees. The conference brought together Members of Knesset, heads of local authorities, academics, representatives of government ministries, civil society organizations, public representatives, students, and community members from both the Bedouin Arab society and the Jewish society in the Negev.
The conference was moderated by Adv. Yousef Abu Zaid, Director of the National Center for Knowledge and Research on the Bedouin Society in the Negev, who led the discussions and panels throughout the day. The opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Nuzha Al-Assad Al-Huzail, Head of the National Center for Research on the Bedouin Society, who emphasized the importance of dialogue, encounter, and evidence-based knowledge as foundations for deep understanding and the advancement of meaningful social change.
During the conference, up-to-date data and research conducted by the Center’s researchers were presented. In addition, two central panels addressed key issues concerning the Bedouin Arab society in the Negev from research-based, public, and practical perspectives.
The first panel focused on knowledge, identity, and opportunities, and on outlining a roadmap toward equitable education in the Negev. The second panel examined data, structural barriers, and opportunities within the Arab society in the Negev. Both panels brought together decision-makers and practitioners, even in the absence of full consensus, and enabled open, respectful, and substantive dialogue around complex and at times contested issues.
A keynote lecture addressed the challenges of statistical data within Bedouin society and the critical importance of reliable data for informed decision-making. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Ahmad Halihal, Director of the Senior Division for Demography and Population in the Demography and Census Department at the Central Bureau of Statistics. Dr. Halihal highlighted the need to improve the collection, mapping, and accessibility of data on the Bedouin society in the Negev.
As part of the research presentations, Adam Ron, Data Researcher at the National Center, presented findings indicating deep and persistent spatial disparities in access to infrastructure and public services across the Negev. These gaps are particularly evident in small localities and in unrecognized Bedouin villages that are excluded from official mapping processes, creating what he described as an “invisible gap” that significantly hinders the formulation of equitable public policy.
Avivit Chai, Co-CEO of NAS Company, presented findings on early childhood frameworks in the Bedouin society, pointing to extremely low participation rates in services for children from birth and up to the age of three, particularly in unrecognized villages. She also highlighted the exceptional burden placed on public services such as education and healthcare, which are often required to operate beyond their planned capacity.
Dr. David Koren, CEO of the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research, presented a study on the demographic dividend, emphasizing that the age structure of the Arab population—particularly in the Southern District—is characterized by a high concentration of young people of working age and significant dependency ratio gaps. These characteristics indicate substantial economic and social potential that has yet to be realized. The findings underscore a time-limited window of opportunity that requires proactive, consistent, and targeted public policy in the fields of education, vocational training, productive employment, and investment in economic infrastructure. International experience demonstrates that translating demographic potential into growth and the reduction of inequality is not automatic, but rather depends on the depth and effectiveness of policy, the removal of structural barriers, and sustained investment in human capital—for the benefit of strengthening the social and economic resilience of the Bedouin society and the State of Israel as a whole.
Dr. Amal Khayat, a health researcher, presented findings indicating persistent health inequalities within the Bedouin society in the Negev, including high rates of infant mortality, and morbidity rates. These disparities stem from structural conditions, infrastructure deficiencies, and limited access to preventive healthcare services. She also emphasized the importance of recognizing the complexity of identity in promoting mental health and social integration among young people in the Bedouin society.
The conference was characterized by a high level of organization, rich and substantive content, and in-depth discussions, reflecting a year of intensive work by the Center in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating reliable data on the Bedouin Arab society in the Negev. The participation of strategic partners and representatives of government ministries underscored the significant potential inherent in bridging research, policy, and on-the-ground practice.
One of the conference’s notable strengths was its ability to bring together representatives of government, academia, and civil society under one roof—even amid divergent perspectives—and to foster genuine and respectful dialogue. The strong presence of young participants stood out in particular, conveying a clear message of engagement, responsibility, and hope for the future.
The overarching theme of the conference was “Together, We Can Create Change”, a theme reflected both in the professional discourse and in the diverse composition of participants.
Alongside the conference’s success, the absence of Hebrew-language media coverage was also evident. As stated by Mr. Talal Al-Qrenawi, Mayor of Rahat and Chair of the Forum of Bedouin Local Authority Heads:
“When the issue is crime, the media arrives in droves. When there is success, meaningful action, and visible potential within the Bedouin society, it does not.”
The conference marked a first step in a long-term effort to generate data-driven knowledge, deepen understanding of the lived reality, and advance informed public discourse—toward a more just, equitable, and shared future in the Negev.