The Rifman Institute for the Development of the Negev was established about four years ago by Bedouins and Jews in memory of Shmulik Rifman z”l, one of the Negev’s prominent leaders. The Institute has both an operational arm and a policy arm. Founded as a civil society organization under the leadership of Hagai Reznik - former Director General of the Construction Ministry and Housing and current Chairman of the Foundation for Discharged Soldiers at the Defense Ministry - the Institute includes former members of elite security units. It focuses on challenging policymakers in Israel regarding the future of the Negev.
The Institute consists of a project implementation division and a policy division. Over the past three years, the Institute has compiled a comprehensive legislative code - a detailed strategic plan supported by legislation. Parts of the “Rifman Law” are being promoted through unified legislative efforts, while other aspects are pursued through side legislation or government actions that don’t require legislative change.
One of the Institute’s key goals is to promote and regulate the Bedouin society in the Negev under modern conditions, based on the belief that without the advancement and prosperity of the Bedouin population, the Negev as a whole cannot progress.
The main issues addressed by the Institute include:
Halting illegal construction in the Negev while establishing organized future housing solutions for the next generation
Economic development and encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in the Negev through incentives
Combating protection rackets and illegal shootings, as well as the massive and disturbing number of illegal weapons in the region (estimated at nearly 100,000 firearms)
Promoting education with Israeli values to support integration into Israeli society and stopping the use of Palestinian Authority educational materials being taught within Israeli territory
It appears that the Institute is becoming an increasingly influential force in the Negev - raising awareness, producing supportive research, and formulating coherent work plans while presenting a unified and clear vision.
The recent amendment to the Protection Racket Law, in which MK Almog Cohen was involved, along with the operational activity that followed, demonstrates how effective supporting legislation can be for driving actions on the ground. As a result, several indictments have been filed, including in cases of "institutional and disguised protection rackets."
MK Brig. Gen. (Res.) Zvika Fogel, Chair of the Knesset's Internal Security Committee, has reached an understanding with the Institute’s staff to bring the issue of illegal weapons before the committee as a new legislative proposal. The goal is to advance a joint solution involving administrative searches and arrests for illegal arms, and to classify weapons offenses as security-related crimes - assuming the political schedule allows it.
In a recent session of the Knesset’s Education Committee, MKs Amit Halevi and Avichay Buaron promoted the disqualification of teaching credentials obtained in Palestinian Authority territories from being used in Israel. At the same time, the Rifman Institute presented a detailed position paper outlining the consequences of instilling a Palestinian narrative in educators and, subsequently, in students within Israeli territory.
The paper also emphasized the need to uphold basic requirements in teacher training colleges that promote integration into Israeli society.
Additionally, just this week, a private bill was submitted to the Knesset by a coalition of Zionist factions - both from the opposition and the coalition - led by MK Shalom Danino. The bill proposes a mechanism for land regulation and municipal intervention in neglected areas.
The Institute maintains ongoing contact with government bodies, local authorities, entrepreneurs, and civil society organizations.
Advancing Business Initiatives
Zim Group, a publicly traded company, is promoting an unprecedented inter-tribal luxury housing project in partnership with Bedouin entities and is using the Institute’s services as needed. Eli Cohen, CEO of Thermokir Industries, announced just this week that he is considering establishing industrial operations in the Negev. The Institute has also approached shareholders of Nvidia to propose building their new campus in the Negev.
Benjy Singer, former CEO of WeWork, has been appointed President of the Institute and plays a central role in connecting with the business world and advancing the Institute’s key ideas.
A Statement from Founder Hagai Reznik
“The road ahead is still long, and the Negev now stands at a crossroads - opportunity or deterioration. If the national leadership does not mobilize decisively in the coming years to bring about real change in the Negev, we foresee that the region will lose its Israeli character. We will continue to fully support policymakers who believe in the State of Israel, regardless of political affiliation, so that they act in the Negev. The Bedouin population, for the most part, is law-abiding and has contributed greatly through shared destiny. However, tens of thousands of citizens living under third-world conditions are creating a breeding ground for serious issues in the Negev.”
This article was written in cooperation with Rifman Institute