After the war ended in 1949, Israel began to settle lands in the Negev, ostensibly to determine and register property titles to the lands located in the area. In practice, the process resulted in vast areas declared state land. In 1966, representatives of 17 Bedouin tribes submitted a petition to Prime Minister Levi Eshkol: “We have been waiting patiently for 18 years. Our rights have been denied, and we have endured much pain and suffering. We cannot continue to suffer as we endlessly wait for a just solution.”

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Bedouin petition,
June 20, 1966.

An update by a staff officer in the Military Rule Department following the petition,
July 3, 1966

Conclusions of a meeting of the Military's leadership,
July 18, 1966