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Last update - 15:26 07/10/2008 Bedouin in Negev town decry Palestinian influx By Haaretz Staff Tags: Israel News, Rahat  The Bedouin living in the Negev town of Rahat are worried by the influx of 4,000 Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip who are living there illegally, Rahat's mayor said this week. "The residents are worried," Talal al-Karnawi said. "One of the illegal residents could plan a terror attack, and from here he could reach any place in the country." Over the last few years, the Bedouin town has become home to thousands of illegal residents from Gaza, Hebron, Bethlehem and Nablus. Many have taken the jobs of Bedouin residents and taken over commerce in the city. Advertisement But the greatest concern of the residents and mayor is that an illegal resident will turn out to be a terrorist whose actions tarnish Rahat and Bedouin in Israel. "There are quite a few resident complaints about illegal residents involved in crime and theft," said al-Karnawi. "Some of the illegal residents come to provide for their families in a dignified way, but there are some youths who wander around the city and are involved in crime." The mayor said he thinks the illegal Palestinians feel more secure not just in Rahat, but in any Israeli town where Arabs live. "They're simply looking for a city of refuge," he said. Rahat resident Salam al-Hoziel has been speaking out about the illegal-resident phenomenon for a long time, and recently even sent letters on the matter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter. The day is not far when that terror attack somewhere in Israel comes, he warns. "They wander around the city, no one knows how many there are, where they come from or what they do at night," he said. "I am warning the State of Israel about their presence in Rahat." According to Abu Sharib Diab, another resident: "I think the state needs to build them houses or tents and place a guard at the entrance. There are terrorists among the illegal residents, and we're scared they'll sully the name of Rahat." But Rahat residents aren't concerned solely by the possibility of terrorism. Businessmen in the town say they have suffered heavy losses recently because the illegal residents smuggle goods into Rahat, damaging the economy. "Some of the illegal residents deal with trade, and they are bothering us," said Sami Gafar, who owns a shoe stall in Rahat. "The police know, but aren't cleaning out the city. They sell things on the cheap and destroy my livelihood." Next to Rahat's market stalls sits Abed, an illegal resident who travels to the Bedouin town from Gaza every week to sell shoes. He said he makes NIS 150 a day and sends the money to his family to help ease their financial woes. Then there is Issa, an illegal resident from Hebron who has been selling toys in the Rahat market for more than six years. Authorities blame Rahat residents who take advantage of the illegal residents, pay them slave wages and form business connections with them, which leads them to stay. Related articles: Negev Bedouin found shot dead in Rishon Letzion Keep the Bedouin loyal Violent clash erupts between rightists and Bedouin near Jerusalem Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hair apparent Ultra-Orthodox shop unveils 'Sarah Palin Wig' based on Alaska governor's famous 'do. Protocols of Wall Street 'Report': Jewish execs sent $400 billion to Israel before Lehman Brothers' demise.   1.   Illegal Arabs 06:12  |  howiej 07/10/08   2.   Israeli Follies 06:31  |  Ron 07/10/08   3.   No Government, no Histadrut 07:00  |  Ethan 07/10/08   4.   Ethan: Maybe YOU Do That, But Not Around Here 08:42  |  Yishai Kohen 07/10/08   5.   Abed from Gaza 09:05  |  Slibovitz 07/10/08   6.   Israel is not a sovereign State anymore,it`s a Leftie trusteeship 09:26  |  Absolute Sweden 07/10/08   7.   Well let`s see, howiej 11:17  |  Murray 07/10/08   8.   when will the left learn? 12:07  |  CHUCK 07/10/08   9.   so classical to accuse the immigrants of being dangerous 12:09  |  charlotte 07/10/08   10.   Let the Beduin enjoy them - Rahat is a den of criminals anyway 13:38  |  Lev 07/10/08   11.   WHAT THE F*** ARE THE DOING THERE??? 13:48  |  Alex 07/10/08   12.   Help the Residents of Rahat 14:30  |  Shlomo 07/10/08   13.   Deaf Ears by the Israeli Government 17:42  |  ARTH 07/10/08   14.   Where are all the leftist cries or is it only for Israel Jew bash 14:10  |  yours truly 10/10/08   15.   let me guess! 21:20  |  ben 10/10/08

Read & React Sources: Hamas has raised price of Shalit deal in wake of Kuntar release Responses: 50 Driver who sparked Acre riots: I'd sacrifice myself to bring back coexistence Responses: 107 Don't believe your banker when he says he's sleeping well Responses: 1 Akiva Eldar: Improved living standards won't turn Israel's Arabs into lovers of Jews Responses: 11 More Headlines 15:29 Peres in Acre: We have many religions, but one set of laws 13:00 Sources: Hamas has raised price of Shalit deal in wake of Kuntar release 14:11 Netanyahu to Shas: Don't join Livni, she'll give up Jerusalem 06:30 ANALYSIS / A political partnership based on mutual lack of trust 06:38 Hebrew University makes The Times' list of 100 top schools 15:23 Israel seals off West Bank ahead of Sukkot holiday 01:09 N.Y. synagogues feel holiday pinch as financial crisis wears on congregants 13:33 Angry and confused, Acre residents wonder how everyday life will go on 12:49 Labor Party, Kadima close to signing coalition agreement 04:58 VIDEO / TASE defies grim forecasts, ends day with moderate losses 11:53 Conspiracy theory faults Jews for Lehman Brothers' collapse 06:34 Israel to allow 700 additional armed PA troops into Hebron 04:37 U.S. tycoon gives David Grossman Torah scroll in son's memory 05:47 Lebanon bans political posters in bid to defuse sectarian tension 09:45 Driver who sparked Acre riots: I'd sacrifice myself to bring back coexistence Previous Editions Select Day 12 oct 10 oct 09 oct 08 oct 07 oct 06 oct 05 oct 03 oct 02 oct 01 oct 30 sep 29 sep

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