Amnesty International labels Prawer-Begin Bill as racist

Amnesty International has labelled Israel’s Prawer-Begin Bill which allows for the displacement of Bedouins in the Negev Desert as “racist”. The human rights group called on the Israeli government to stop the demolition of Bedouin communities not “recognised” by Tel Aviv “immediately”.

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According to a report in the Jerusalem Post, Amnesty’s Middle East Programme Director Phillip Luther said that the Israeli authorities have to change their policies in a way that guarantees appropriate housing for all citizens.

“The Prawer-Begin Bill, which was adopted by the Israeli government, may lead to the compulsory displacement of tens of thousands of Bedouin citizens,” added Luther. “It is a racist plan that opposes Israel’s obligation to fulfil international conventions. It is not acceptable under any circumstances.”