Police arrest two Rahat residents, confiscate one camel, after foiling Bedouin camel race plans

Israel Police and Border Police recently foiled a plan to hold an illegal camel race in an IDF live-fire training zone in Israel's south, police announced on Sunday morning.

On the morning of the race, police staked out the location, near Route 222 in Bir Hadaj, a Bedouin agricultural town.

Security forces observed various vehicles and trailers gathering, along with a growing crowd of spectators. When the time came, they initiated a raid on the site, at which point the two main culprits - one minor and one adult, both Rahat residents - began fleeing the scene in their vehicles. Police ultimately located both of them with the help of the police's Aerial Unit and detained them for further questioning.

The camel located at the site was also confiscated.

Camels were also spotted in the Bedouin city of Rahat on Election Day the week beforehand, as masked individuals riding on horses and camels through the city were seen waving political flags and playing loud music.

In September, police foiled another camel race plot set to take place in the same location, also detaining multiple suspects and confiscating the camel found on site. 

Camel racing is a tradition in the Middle East, Bedouin communities

Camel racing is a popular sport across the Middle East and a tradition in Bedouin communities. 

 In Israel, Bedouins from different tribes travel to attend the event alongside Jewish residents from nearby communities.

The first legal camel race was held in the Negev in 2024 and was attended by thousands of spectators.