BEDOUIN UNRECOGNISED VILLAGES

Early day motion 1491, tabled 30 June 2003 by Patrick Hall (Labour). Signed by 48 members.

That this House expresses deep concern at the Israeli Government's proposal to transfer over a five year period 74,000 Bedouin from 45 unrecognised villages in the Negev, Southern Israel into state built townships; condemns the Israeli Government's policy of refusing to recognise these villages and in particular condemns the house demolitions, confiscation of land, spraying of crops with toxic chemicals and refusal to allow provision of basic amenities such as electricity, water and sewage and health and education services; notes the discrimination against the Bedouin community through the denial of its right to establish elected local councils to provide services; urges the Israeli Government to abandon the Transfer Plan and reconsider the alternative plan already submitted by the Together Forum for Growth and Equality in the Negev which was produced with the elected representatives of the Bedouin community.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Conservative 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.