Bedouin councilman elected to Misgav Regional Council for first time

A Bedouin councilman was elected to serve as deputy chairman of the Misgav Regional Council for the first time since its inception.

The chairman of the Bedouin town of Dmeide, Mohammed Abu Dauf, will serve as the deputy to Ron Shani, the new council chair.

A council statement said that Abu Dauf will deal with government ministries on matters pertaining to the advancement of the towns in the council, along with what was defined as the "cultivation of connections with Misgav's neighbors."

Abu Dauf has represented his town in the regional council for four terms. During his tenure, he was a member of the council's administration, finance committee and several other panels.

Abu Dauf also serves as the chairman of the "Committee of 40," which works for the development of 40 Arab villages that have not been recognized by the Israeli government.

There are several formerly unrecognized villages within the Misgav council's jurisdiction that received official recognition in the last decade. However, some of them still lack infrastructure or master building plans.

Abu Dauf said his appointment doesn't reflect a change in his positions. "I was among the leaders of the opposition to the Israeli government's policy against the unrecognized villages, and my position is that one must act to advance those villages. On the other hand, I believe in coexistence, cooperative living and in the community aspect of Misgav, and I intend to contribute and use this to the advantage of our villages."

	Mohammed Abu Dauf.