NGO - Jerusalem Bedouin Cooperative Committee on Item V
Muhammad Kurshain of the Jerusalem Bedouin Cooperative Committee. Madam Chairperson,
ladies and gentlemen, the Palestinian economy is made of three main segments and each
segment supports the other and complements it. The first segments I s the Bedouins who have
work in animal husbandry and who produce dairy products and meat products. The second
segment is farmers and villagers, they are behind the agriculture sector and the serial sector.
The third is the trade segment which takes in the products of villagers and Bedouins. Any
segment that does not work efficiently will effect the whole Palestinian economy this is what
happened. The prices of meat and dairy products in the West bank have risen because of
increasing unemployment that is why we cannot speak of employment rights for minorities
because the basic and essential work for Bedouins is not secure and is on the verge of collapse.
And this has a terrible effect on the Bedouin communities.
It is necessary to invest in education in order to assess the Bedouins to continue to have their
livelihood as it is difficult to maintain life in Bedouin conditions where there is no sufficient
infrastructure, Bedouins cannot compete with urban dwellers or villagers who have much better
education opportunities. Furthermore, the Palestinian education system does not offer
opportunities for these marginalised groups although some countries do offer education that is
subsidised by state for Bedouins. We are speaking of social security here. Health services for
Bedouin communities barely exist because of living in distant areas and high transportation
costs as well as numerous Israeli checkpoints around Bedouin communities. Among the
recommendations I would like to remind you that we asked for protections for minorities under
occupation, finally we have to following recommendations it is important to obtain basic
services including decent housing, healthcare, safe drinking water and water for cattle as well
as education and food. We also recommend access to adequate education if occupation
troops…of sorry.. are recommend to stop destroying schools and houses and support
transportation towards and from schools. There should also be a development education grants
for Bedouins to give them access to higher education. Thank you.