The activism of Bedouin women

Social and political resistance

Abstract

This paper examines several models of the feminist struggle of Bedouin women in the Negev region in southern Israel. These women are doubly marginalized: as women living under a patriarchal, male-dominated society, and as part of a discriminated ethnic (Arab) minority group in Israel. The presented findings are based on my own triple status as a researcher of Bedouin women ’s issues in Israel; a feminist activist in Bedouin women’s organizations (NGOs); and a Bedouin woman who herself suffers from andfights against discrimination. My findings on the feminist activity of Bedouin women ’s organizations are based on my active participation in some of them. The paper analyzes the feminist activity of these NGOs in terms of three models: "reviving tradition, ” "re-Islamizingpatriarchy ” and "rebellion. ” My claim is that these models are modes of political action and social resistance.