The Israel Defense Forces hopes the launch of a new program will help reset its relationship with members of the country's Bedouin community in the Negev region.
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As part of the program, the IDF plans to teach the Bedouin Hebrew, work with them on social engagement, and even encourage them to enlist in the Israeli military.
The IDF has been in ongoing conflict with the country's Bedouin population in recent years. Incidents of Bedouin stealing vehicles, weapons, and other military equipment are proudly documented by members of the sector on social media. The sector has also made headlines recently over violence within the community and its takeover of the Negev region, where a majority of the community's members live.
While similar programs have failed to affect change in the past, the IDF hopes this plan will make a difference.
"In recent months, the IDF is in a 'multiorganizational' campaign to bolster security on bases and bolster security in the Negev" by bringing people together, Col. Liat Shavo, the commander of the IDF Southern Command's Personnel Directorate, explained.
As part of the program, units from the IDF's Southern Command will "adopt" schools in Bedouin communities.
Seven IDF units along with seven Bedouin schools will take part in the initial stage of the plan, which was launched on Tuesday. In the coming weeks, school principals and unit commanders will present a plan for the coming schoolyear aimed at kicking off cooperative efforts as soon as early December.
Among other things, the program will see IDF soldiers and students volunteer together in the Bedouin community. A number of activities aimed at promoting tolerance and improving the atmosphere will also be held. In addition, teachers in the IDF will tackle the language gap among many in the Bedouin community by providing additional Hebrew-language instruction in participating schools.
Shavu admitted it would be difficult to significant change on the ground but said the military was not looking to start a revolution.
"We won't succeed in correcting all the challenges we face, and that's not the objective." She said that by influencing a small portion of Bedouin society, the thinking is that "we may succeed in fixing something deeper."
The head of the Personnel Directorate unit tasked with integrating minorities in the military, Col. Shadi Othman, said that through the project, "We are promoting the integration of the Bedouin population in the South in Israeli society and acting to connect IDF units within the civilian space in the community and in Bedouin cities. The IDF's responsibility to change and influence is the basis of its existence as the people's army, a military that unites every portion of Israeli society into one significant body that cares for us all.
"We are working with the full cooperation of community members who are enlisting and taking part in the projects to change and lead to a future of peace and unified society. This project is one of many that we are leading to integrate all populations in the IDF and Israeli society," he said.
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