More than 60% of Bedouin residents of the Negev prefer a state-appointed authority head to an elected official from their community, a survey conducted by the Rifman Institute for Negev Development revealed.
The data points to widespread dissatisfaction and persistent managerial failures across the nine Bedouin local authorities operating in the Negev.
The survey, which sampled 300 residents from a representative cross-section of the local authorities, found that 65% were dissatisfied with their local leadership and perceived it as being influenced by clan-based interests. As a result, a clear majority of residents said they would prefer a state-appointed leader to one elected from within the Bedouin sector.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents said clan ties influence local governance, with members of dominant families receiving preferential treatment. More than 50% believe that individuals who are not affiliated with the dominant clans have limited chances of winning public tenders.
Only 30% expressed satisfaction with how their authority supports the local community, and 65% believe their needs are not being addressed effectively.
Education, sanitation, employment drive frustration
Respondents cited failures in key areas of daily life. The most acute concerns were:
77% dissatisfied with sanitation and cleanliness; 73% dissatisfied with the education system; 64% unhappy with the handling of business and employment opportunities.
These concerns reflect a broader frustration with the quality of public services and opportunities available to Bedouin communities in the region.
In light of these findings, 62% of residents favor state-appointed leadership over elected officials, underscoring a significant loss of faith in the electoral process within these communities.
Hagai Reznik, head of the Rifman Institute, called the data “a severe warning sign for the state.”
“The data emerging from the survey paints a harsh picture of a deep crisis of trust between Bedouin residents and the local authorities,” Reznik said. “When most residents prefer a government-appointed leadership over an elected one, this is a severe warning sign for the state.”
The release of the survey followed a separate report by the Rifman Institute that highlighted troubling security developments in the Negev, including the presence of more than 100,000 illegal weapons, the rise of Islamist elements, and the emergence of a short-term weapons rental market.
A separate survey on personal safety also revealed that 90% of Bedouin residents feel a severe lack of personal security.
“The Negev is at a point of both civic and security boiling point,” Reznik warned. “The response must be immediate, profound, and sustained. If we do not wake up now, we will ultimately lose the Negev.”