Ramallah — The Palestinian Employment Fund and Albaidar Association for the Defense of Bedouin Rights discussed avenues for cooperation to support Bedouin communities during a meeting held today at the Fund’s headquarters in Ramallah. The meeting was attended by Mr. Rami Mahdawi, Executive Director of the Fund, Ms. Ghada Bureika, Project Manager for Employment Services, Attorney Hassan Mleihat, Chairman of Albaidar’s Board of Directors, and journalist Fares Al-Maliki, Board Member.
During the meeting, Mleihat presented a brief overview of Albaidar, which was established in 2021 and includes a group of journalists and lawyers advocating for the rights of Bedouin communities that continue to face restrictions and ongoing violations by the occupation authorities.
Mleihat stated that approximately eight Bedouin communities between Ramallah and Jericho are subjected to daily attacks by settlers and occupation forces, as well as systematic harassment and restrictive measures. These include the closure of grazing areas, denial of permanent water access, prohibition of drilling agricultural wells, prevention of infrastructure projects, and restrictions on livelihoods and income sources. He noted that these policies have contributed to rising unemployment and poverty rates among Bedouin communities, who primarily depend on livestock herding for survival.
For his part, Mahdawi affirmed the Fund’s readiness to develop employment-generating projects for members of Bedouin communities, aimed at creating sustainable income opportunities. He emphasized that the Fund implements multiple programs to provide job opportunities for unemployed individuals, as well as support for small business owners through grants or soft loans to establish or expand their enterprises. He further stressed the Fund’s willingness to design a tailored project specifically aligned with the needs of Bedouin communities, recognizing them as one of the most vulnerable groups within Palestinian society.