December 2024 RCUV visit to US
The RCUV works to address the significant challenges facing the Bedouin population in the Negev from the unrecognized villages, advocating for their rights and needs. Through legal action, public campaigns, and collaboration with policymakers, the council has been instrumental in securing the recognition of 17 villages. They have helped shape a master plan for the remaining unrecognized villages, ensuring these plans reflect the cultural and societal needs of the communities. Beyond advocacy, the council steps in to provide essential services, from establishing kindergartens to distributing food stamps, demonstrating their deep commitment to the wellbeing of the Bedouin communities.
The Negev is home to approximately 300,000 Arabs, making up around 40% of the region’s population. Despite their numbers, the land they occupy is disproportionately small, with nearly half of these residents living in unrecognized villages that span just 3.5% of the Negev's vast area. Central to their struggle is a mere 1.5% of the total land in the Negev, a critical point of contention that has deep implications for these communities.
Life in the unrecognized villages is marked by a severe lack of basic services like water, electricity, healthcare, and education. These communities also face significant insecurity regarding land ownership, with thousands of demolitions occurring since the 1970s, leaving many homes under constant threat. This issue goes beyond local boundaries and represents one of the most pressing environmental and planning challenges for the Palestinian minority in Israel.
Yeela Raanan
General Manager
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Dr. Yeela Raanan has dedicated her career to promoting the rights of the unrecognized Bedouin villages, Israel's most marginalized population. In addition to her work with RCUV, she is teaching academic courses on topics like “Oppression as Policy,” focusing on societal and economic challenges.
Living in Kibbutz Kissufim, near the Gaza border, for over a decade, Dr. Raanan has faced the realities of conflict firsthand. She has played a critical role in supporting her community, serving on the emergency team and heading the education committee. Following the attacks on October 7th, her community was evacuated, and she continues to work toward creating a future for them. Dr. Raanan is also active in “Other Voice,” advocating for peaceful coexistence between Gazans and Israelis.
Lobna Sana
Architect & Urban Planner
Lobna Sana is a Bedouin architect and artist from the Negev, with a Bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, where she was awarded the prestigious Azrieli Prize in Architecture in 2022. Sana has spent the past six years working on various architectural projects for unrecognized Bedouin villages, focusing on creating solutions that respect the cultural and social needs of these communities.
At the RCUV, Sana plays a leading role in developing innovative mapping techniques and architectural solutions. Her work bridges the gap between tradition and modern urban planning, ensuring that the needs of Bedouin villages are recognized in regional development strategies.