"Planting will soon be resumed in Israel's south in areas near unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev" Construction and Housing Minister Ze’ev Elkin said, KAN radio reported on Monday morning.
In the past, when trees were planted in areas near unrecognized Bedouin villages by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, Bedouin citizens from the Negev began demonstrating and rioting, claiming that the planting is being done on the property of Bedouin families.
Dozens of Bedouin citizens protestors blocked off Highway 31 between Shoket and Tel Arad on January 11. Nine people were arrested at the time for throwing stones at security forces guarding tree planting.