Jerusalem periphery, northeast of Mikhmas adjacent to Road 458
Mikhmas Bedouin
Resident
Number of Families
20
Tribe
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Ka’abneh;Jahalin
Names of Families
Geurab, Zawahreh
Refugees
official refugee status
Spatial/Building
Land Ownership
private;lease
Land Ownership - details
The lands are private and the Bedouins lease the lands from their owners.
Planning
No plan
Structure Type
tent;tin shack
Infrastructure/Services
Access to Community
pedestrian;private vehicle
Access to Community - details
The access to the community is from a road leading from Mikhmas. From the town until the lands in Area C the road is paved with asphalt and upon reaching the agricultural areas in Area C, it becomes a dirt road.
Water Access
water tank
Water Access - details
The herders rely on transporting water in tanks, which they purchase from nearby villages such as Mikhmas and Rammun. In an effort to improve their water supply situation, they approached the Mikhmas municipality with a request for a water connection to the regular water network. However, the municipality directed them to the water authority, which, as of now, has not provided a response to their request.
Electric Connection
Electric Connection - details
Four years ago Comet Me connected them to the solar panels. The connection is for individual systems per family unit.
Health Care
clinic in neighboring community;clinic in distant town/village
Health Care - details
There is a clinic in Mikhmas and the government hospital in Ramallah.
Location of Services
Ramallah and the village of Mikhmas
Education
Kindergarten
No
Location of School #1
Mikhmas
general description [school #1]
Boys;Girls;Primary school;Middle school;High School
Distances to schools [school #1]
2001 - 5000 meters
Time to schools [school #1]
16 - 30 minutes
Schools - details
The school is located in the town of Mikhmas. However, the Jahalin parents have made the difficult decision not to allow their daughters to continue their education beyond elementary school. This decision is primarily due to the hazardous conditions of the road leading to the school, compounded by the family's lack of access to a car, making the challenging journey on foot a significant concern. In contrast, the Ka'abneh families do have a car and occasionally use it to transport their children to school.
Travel to school [school #1]
difficult walk
Accessibility to school - STAFF [school #1]
4
History
History
The families of the Ka'abana tribe came from the Negev after the 1948 war. They initially settled in Hebron and then moved to different places, including Maghayer Al Dir. In Maghayer Al Dir, settlers accused the Bedouins of burning down an outpost, resulting in the detention of their young boys. After about a week, they moved to Al Baqa'a east of Mikhmas but were again expelled by the army which recommended their current location. They have been permanently residing there for over 18 years with the consent of the landowners. Initially, the landowners charged them a lease fee, but recently, they stopped doing so.
The Jahalin families originally came from Tel ‘Arad in the Negev and were displaced during the 1948 war. They found refuge in Masafar Yatta prior to the 1967 war. At the request of the landowners, they left that territory and came to Khan al-Ahmar area in search of pastureland. About ten years ago, they settled in the lands of Mikhmas, where they have been residing ever since.
The Jahalin families originally came from Tel ‘Arad in the Negev and were displaced during the 1948 war. They found refuge in Masafar Yatta prior to the 1967 war. At the request of the landowners, they left that territory and came to Khan al-Ahmar area in search of pastureland. About ten years ago, they settled in the lands of Mikhmas, where they have been residing ever since.
livelihood
Seasonal Movement
no
Seasonal Movement - details
The shepherds stopped moving seasonally due to problems from the army.
Community Initiatives
They paved the road at their expense
Other Occupation
shepherding;herd without shepherding;temporary employment in Palestinian town
Main Occupation
shepherding;herd without shepherding
Woman's Occupation
taking care of the herd;taking care of the kids;housekeeping;herd products
General Livelihood - details
The men primarily engage in herding, but the scarcity of pastureland forces them to rely more on fodder than grazing. This puts a significant financial burden on them, prompting some family members to seek additional employment opportunities to cover debts and support the family's financial stability. Meanwhile, the women play dual roles as homemakers and producers of dairy products during the production seasons.
Threats and obstacles
Threats and Obstacles
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nature reserve;close to settlement;settler violence
Threats and Obstacles - details
They currently face minimal threats and have few demolition orders to contend with. However, they have raised concerns about nearby outposts established by settlers. These settlers have recently been observed using the community's roads and, at times, encroaching into the community's private space with their vehicles. Additionally, there was a troubling incident of violence in the Deir Dibwan area on May 11, 2023, just prior to our arrival. This incident involved an attack by settlers against shepherds in the early morning hours, resulting in injuries to three individuals, with 30 people affected overall, some of whom sustained serious injuries.
Number of Demolition Orders
4
Number of Demolitions
1