The Bedouins are the indigenous population of the Negev Desert, the southernmost region of Israel, and number approximately 150.000. Half of them live in poor and squalid 'townships' that were purposely erected in the 1960's by the Israeli Government, under a policy that aims at 'concentrating' the Bedouins in small and circumscribed areas, so as to vacate as much land as possible for future...
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The Bedouins are the indigenous population of the Negev Desert, the southernmost region of Israel, and number approximately 150.000. Half of them live in poor and squalid 'townships' that were purposely erected in the 1960's by the Israeli Government, under a policy that aims at 'concentrating' the Bedouins in small and circumscribed areas, so as to vacate as much land as possible for future Jewish settlements.

The other half reside in 45 villages that are not officially recognized as such, and where running water, electricity, sewage, access roads, telephone lines, garbage collection and all other basic services cannot be obtained. Considered illegal agglomerates of makeshift houses, these villages are constantly at risk of demolition and building is strictly forbidden. They do not appear on any official map. While reduced to severe hardship and poverty, they are left unable to secure their basic civil rights. Paradoxically, most of the Bedouins of the Negev Desert are also Israeli citizens.

Alex documented the lives of normally secretive families in both 'unrecognised' villages and Bedouin towns. Day after day, I have realised how their love for the Land, is still so strongly an inherent part of the Bedouin identity; while their habitat, self-sufficient lifestyle and traditions are now at risk of being blown away by the ceaseless wind whose name is modernity.
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