The Iron Dome System
The Iron Dome is a defense system used by Israel to intercept rockets from Palestinian resistance groups and Lebanese Hezbollah. When rockets are detected, sirens sound, and residents quickly seek shelter in armored buildings. However, there is a group of people who are not protected by the Iron Dome and do not have shelters to keep them safe.
The Neglected Villages
In the 1948 territories under Israeli control, there are villages that are not covered by the Iron Dome system. These villages, inhabited by over 150,000 Palestinians, lack basic infrastructure like transportation, electricity, water, and internet. They also do not have shelters or an early warning system to protect them from missiles.
The Consequences
Since the beginning of the recent conflict, rockets from Palestinian resistance groups have fallen in these villages, resulting in the deaths of 7 Palestinians and the destruction of 50 homes. The absence of protection and warning systems in these villages has led to significant human and material losses.
The Iron Dome's Operation
The Iron Dome operates by analyzing the trajectory of incoming missiles. If a missile is headed towards a populated area, the Iron Dome intercepts it. However, if it is headed towards an open area, the system does not intervene. Unfortunately, these neglected villages are considered open areas by the Iron Dome, leaving them vulnerable to missile attacks.
Discrimination and Racism
Residents of these neglected villages face discrimination and racism from the Israeli authorities. The villages are not recognized, and as a result, they are denied civil infrastructure and protection. The Israeli government refuses to intercept missiles targeting these villages and does not sound alarms to warn residents.
A Tragic Example
Nayef Abu Subaih lost his sister and niece when a missile hit their house during the recent conflict. The authorities consider their village to be an open area and do not provide them with any infrastructure or warning methods. The lack of proper building materials also means their homes offer little protection against missiles.
A Plan for Displacement
The Israeli government's policy towards these neglected villages is seen as a form of racism. They do not recognize the Arab residents of the Negev and deny them services and shelters. This policy is part of a larger plan to displace these villages and replace them with Jewish settlements.
Educational Neglect
Around 70,000 Arab students in the Negev study in schools without fortifications or shelters. The lack of protection puts these students at risk during times of conflict. The Israeli government allocates significant funds to demolish Arab homes and persecute residents of neglected villages, further exacerbating the displacement of these communities.
A Call for Change
Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the lack of shelters in unrecognized villages and the Iron Dome's refusal to respond to missiles targeting these areas. The Israeli government has deemed these villages illegal and therefore not worthy of protection. In response, the councils of neglected villages and the Southern Islamic Movement have distributed cement tubes to serve as makeshift shelters.
The Hidden Truth
It is important to note that when Israel claims a missile has fallen in an open area, it may have actually hit innocent civilians in the Negev. This highlights the urgent need for change and the protection of all communities, regardless of their recognition status.
Source: Al Jazeera
