The wastewater ponds run by the Kolchei haNegev Company in the municipal area of Dimona are not fenced—the fencing that was previously in the area has been destroyed and has disappeared over the years, leading to direct access to the ponds. This situation endangers the residents of nearby villages, especially the children of Qasr al-Sir and its environs.
On June 23, 2021, along with a coalition of local organizations, ACRI sent an appeal to the Mayor of Dimona, the CEO of Kolchei haNegev, and the Governmental Authority for Water and Sewage demanding that the ponds be fenced immediately. The coalition included the Regional Council for Unrecognized Villages in the Negev, Shatil, Bimkom – Planners for Planning Rights, and the Negev Coexistence Forum. In our appeal, ACRI Attorney Abir Jubran Dakwar argued that the municipality is obligated to ensure the public’s safety and well-being, and that it has both the means and the authority to do so.
Following our appeal, the pools were fenced off.
The letter was written with the assistance of legal intern Eyal Luria-Pardes.