Protective presence

Recently, Bedouin communities have been experiencing a sharp and ongoing increase in cases of violence, harassment, and threatening presence. Since 2024, harassment, vandalism, theft, and assaults have been recorded by elements operating from some of the new Jewish farms that have been established in close proximity to the communities. These are systematic actions aimed at creating ongoing fear and undermining the sense of security, in order to force the communities to leave.
Friends of the Jahalin, with the help of dedicated volunteers, work to protect the communities through an open line to report incidents of violence, a 24/7 presence on the ground when necessary, documentation of illegal activities, activation of security forces, and outreach activities in nearby communities - all with the aim of preventing escalation and maintaining law and order.

With the outbreak of the Iron Sword War in October 2023, representatives from the Jewish settlement arrived in the Shevat HaKaabna community, near Mitzpe Jericho, and demanded that the residents demolish their huts and leave within 24 hours. Following the immediate intervention of the Friends of Jahalin, the demolition was stopped, donations were raised, and the community was restored. Our activists maintained a continuous presence in the field for weeks to prevent a recurrence of the events. Despite this, part of the community left for fear of continued harassment, and the families who remained lived in fear, sometimes without water, due to repeated damage to the pipeline. During 2024–2025, additional illegal farms and outposts were established in close proximity to Bedouin communities in the area, and since then, violence in the Jahalin area has intensified. It should be emphasized that not all farms are violent. However, residents of some of the outposts - sometimes teenagers - work to disrupt the Bedouin's daily life in various ways: invading herds into community areas, stealing hay for sheep purchased with full money, damaging water lines, blinding the huts at night, driving ATVs wildly inside the communities day and night, operating drones with loudspeakers at night, destroying solar panels that provide the little electricity that exists, spraying "revenge" graffiti, violently attacking shepherds, throwing stones, cursing, and a threatening presence. The result is a life of constant anxiety, and a feeling of persecution.

The uniqueness of the Friends of Jahalin's activities is in its collaboration with volunteers from the nearby Jewish settlement and with security forces, with the aim of maintaining order and putting down flames. This combination allows us to promote a quieter and safer reality. We do not deal with violence through counter-violence, but through presence, dialogue, education, and law enforcement.
No less important is the expression of human solidarity and the presentation of the human face of Israel. The very presence of the Friends of Jahalin on the ground reassures women and children and makes it clear that not everyone wants to harm. We hope for the days when sanity returns, and when no one will be required to protect innocent civilians from violence - from any side.