Bimkom

Profile

Country/TerritoryIsrael
Websitewww.bimkom.org
Founded1999 “by a group of planners and architects, in order to strengthen democracy and human rights in the field of planning.”
In their own wordsDraws on “values of social justice, good governance, equality and community participation” to advance “the development of planning policies and practices that are more just and respectful of human rights, and responsive to the needs of local communities.”

Funding

Activities

  • According to its website, Bimkom “conduct[s] research and write[s] reports whose findings we use to advocate vis-à-vis policy and decision makers, on the local and national level (government ministries, municipalities, the planning institutions, and the Civil Administration in the West Bank). We also take legal measures against inappropriate or discriminatory planning, when necessary.”
  • Regularly files petitions and criticizes the Israeli government in an attempt to alter policies related to spatial planning, planning procedures, and Bedouin communities.

Political Advocacy

Advocacy Against Israel’s Bedouin Policies

  • In 2017, Bimkom published one-sided and factually inaccurate position paper accusing Israel of “forced displacement,” “forced transfer,” and “subjugation” of Bedouins, as well as stating that “The main reason for the forced transfer and the expulsion of communities from the areas in which they have lived for decades is Israel’s intention to realize its own interests in the West Bank.”
  • In May 2013, UNRWA and Bimkom co-authored a report on the “plight” of Bedouin communities in Area C of the West Bank, saying: “With the occupation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank including East Jerusalem ongoing, and a durable solution to the Palestine refugee problem yet to be arrived at, the plight of the Jahalin Bedouin Palestine refugees in al Jabal reflects—albeit in a vastly less violent context—a number of the common elements of the Palestine refugee experience since 1948. These include: displacement from and dispossession of traditional territories and other properties… the dilution of traditional decision-making bodies; and friction over land, housing and property rights.” The report includes a quote comparing the move to al Jabal as “Our own mini Nakba.” (Click here to read more about how politicized NGOs exploit the issue of the Bedouin in the Negev to wage political warfare against Israel.)
  • Published a 2013 position paper, together with Israeli NGO ACRI, urging “Members of Knesset to vote against the [Prawer-Begin] bill,” maintaining that it “only causes problems, mistrust and alienation of Bedouin citizens.” The position paper claims that the Bedouin are the “original inhabitants of the Negev” and that “[a]fter  the  establishment  of  the  state,  Israel  began  to  ignore  the  existence  of  the  Bedouin  villages  in  all  planning  laws  and  master  plans,  and  disregarded  their  property  rights.” This approach seeks to demonize Israelin the international arena by advancing the idea that the Bedouin are the native and legitimate residents of the land and that Israel is a foreign, occupying power.

Partners

  • Member of the “Displacement Work Group,” an initiative of Badil and OCHA to “monitor human rights violations (evictions, home demolitions, land confiscations) resulting in the displacement of people from their lands and communities,” along with: Addameer, Al-Haq, Al-Mezan, AIC, ARIJ, Badil, B’Tselem, CARE Intnl., DCI – Palestine section, Diakonia, EAPPI, Ir Amim, ICAHD, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Oxfam UK, Oxfam Solidarite – Belgium, PA Govt. Spokesperson, PCHR, RHR, Society of St. Yves, Save the Children UK, Shatil, UNFPA, Stop the Wall, ACRI, UNFPA, Yesh Din, and World Vision.
  • Member of the “Legal Taskforce,” together with other NGOs: ACRIBimkomHaMoked, UNDP, ICAHDPCATIRabbis For Human RightsPHRYesh Din, the Jerusalem Coalition, Addameer, the NRC, and others. The taskforce seeks to “employ lawyers and have legal action strategies in the struggle against the occupation.”

Foreign donations to Bimkom (amounts in NIS)

2019-2020 figures based on NGO annual reports, 2021-2023 figures based on quarterly reports submitted to the Israeli Registrar for Non-Profits.

 
Donor20232022202120202019
New Israel Fund472,949
Germany30,408
Norwegian Refugee Council 305,293851,072225,232181,526
France41,600
European Union410,461559,623801,623704,126
AECID (Spain520,500592,970
Ireland 272,942283,148311,634665,871
Switzerland78,690
Bread for the World-EED (Germany)679,846194,383360,665449,458433,826
UN Habitat (Belgium and EU branches)195,910
ACPP (Spain)19,064145,40478,89026,19093,556
UNDP155,628193,890331,910401,454389,808
Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP)17,645
UN OCHA159,495

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