Sheikh Ahmad: Knows What's Good for You
Daniel Weishut, M.A., M.B.A.
Abstract: In the Yehuda desert near Jerusalem live about 22.000 Bedouins, together with other Palestinian Arabs, dispersed among several villages. These Bedouins belong to eleven extended families. The Sheikh takes a leadership role in the community. He functions as police officer, mediator and judge in conflicts between families. He is the one people come to consult with, not only Bedouins. The function of Sheikh is since short an elective function. There are circa 3.000 Bedouins with voting rights, all men between 18-50 years old. The members of the families elect each their representative for the council of families. The two weakest families (as based on their property, wealth, level of education, size and other aspects of status) do not have their own representative, whereas the two strongest families have two representatives each. The council then chooses among itself the next Sheikh. The task of the council members is to support the Sheikh and to solve issues that occur within their own family. The Sheikh and the council stay in office for two years. The Sheikh receives a modest salary from the Palestinian Authority, which is barely enough to cover the basic costs of living.