Background
Public governance is defined as the ability of the state, through its governmental authorities, to act within the scope of its powers and to implement its policies effectively and efficiently. This term reflects the government's capacity to perform its functions successfully. The absence of governance is manifested, inter alia, in a lack of enforcement and deterrence on the part of the state, failure to implement lawfully adopted decisions, failure to provide public services that the state is obligated to deliver, and a deterioration of social order. Such a situation also leads to citizens failing to meet their civic obligations to the expected extent.
The Bedouin population in the Negev increased six-fold between 1995 and 2023, and by approximately 20% between 2018 and 2023. At the end of 2023, this population numbered approximately 325,000 individuals, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The proportion of youth (ages 0–17) was particularly high, at 48.6%. According to data from the Population and Immigration Authority, approximately 315,000 Bedouin reside in the Southern District, constituting approximately 20% of the district's total population.
Approximately 72% of the Bedouin population in the Negev live in 18 recognized localities, while 28% reside outside recognized localities (in dispersed settlements). As of the audit period (August–December 2024), the population of the dispersed settlements is estimated to be between 70,000 and 90,000. This population resides outside the boundaries of the recognized localities, beyond the jurisdiction of the local government, and in illegal structures scattered throughout the Negev.
Furthermore, over the years, the conflict between this population and the state has intensified, due to a phenomenon referred to as 'Palestinization,' denoting a growing affinity with the Palestinian population in Judea and Samaria. This is the result of marriages to Palestinian women from Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, limited Hebrew proficiency, a weakening of identification with the State of Israel and its institutions, and exposure to incitement against the state and to various forms of violence.
Audit Actions
In 2021, Annual Report 72A of the State Comptroller's Office was published, titled: Governance Aspects in the Negev (hereinafter: the previous report or the previous audit report). From August to December 2024, the State Comptroller's Office examined the correction of certain deficiencies and the implementation of some of the recommendations raised in the previous report. The review focused on the following areas: verification of residency, the handling of polygamy offenses, benefit payments, enforcement proceedings and tax debt collection, environmental damage, damage to infrastructure owned by government and private companies, protection of life and property, supervision and enforcement of traffic laws, trespassing into Israel Defense Forces (IDF) firing zones, and the need for centralized and reliable data and for a coordinating body.
The audit was conducted at the Ministry of Environmental Protection; the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC); Mekorot Water Company Ltd.; Energy Infrastructures Ltd. (EIL); the Population and Immigration Authority; the National Insurance Institute of Israel (NII); the Israel Tax Authority; the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin in the Negev; the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA); the Land Crossings Authority at the Ministry of Defense; the Israel Police; and the Ministry of Justice. Supplementary examinations were conducted at the Ministry of Labor; the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS); the Be'er Sheva Municipality; the Lehavim Local Council; the Al-Kaysum Regional Council; and the Neve Midbar Regional Council.
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