Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi during his visit at the Bedouin village of Segev Shalom. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

More Articles IDF to Follow McKinsey and Co.'s Recommendations for Efficiency Chief of Staff: Hamas Deters and Restrains In Response to Rocket Fire, IAF Strikes Terrorist Sites in the Gaza Strip Redesigned Combat Intelligence Collection Corps Aims High IDF Thwarts Drug Smuggling Attempt All Articles

The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, visited the Bedouin village of Segev Shalom  today, in honor of the upcoming Muslim Holiday of Eid Al-Adkha [Arabic: "Festival of Sacrifice"]. During the visit, the Chief of the General Staff declared: "The soldiers and commanders of the IDF will study the heritage of the great Sheikh of the South, Uddah Manzur Abu A'mar" [A renowned Bedouin Sheikh in the history of the Israeli Bedouin Community].

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi visited the house of the late Sheikh Uddah as the guest of his son and successor, the head of the Segev Shalom Regional Council, Mr. A'mar Abu A'mar and met leaders from the Bedouin community, including heads of Bedouin regional councils, sheikhs and other respectable members of the Bedouin community. Other participants in the visit were government officials responsible for integration of Bedouins in Israeli society, the Mayor of the city of Be'er Sheva [the largest city in Israel's southern Negev desert], Mr. Elihau Nawi; Commander of the IDF Tracker Unit [a unit with a majority of Bedouin specialist soldiers], Col. Yossi Haddad; head of the IDF Special Minorities Department, Col. Ahmad Ramiz; and the commander of the Bedouin Reconnaissance Battalion, Lt. Col. Meir Elmalam.

The Bedouins congratulated the Chief of the General Staff for his visit and stated that Sheikh Uddah started promoting the recruitment of Bedouins to defense services and to the IDF as early as 1945. They emphasized the importance of preserving his heritage and maintaining the integration of Bedouins to the IDF and the State of Israel.

During the visit, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said: "We have no other country, and there is no way other than to nurture the cooperation with the Bedouin community. The IDF will continue to lead the way in allowing equal opportunities for Bedouin soldiers to integrate to all military roles. In my name and the name of the IDF, I salute you and bless you with a happy holiday."