The 168 members of the Bedouin population who have fallen in defense of Israel since its founding were remembered Monday throughout Memorial Day observances at the Center for Professional Training and Rehabilitation in Be'er Sheva. Forty-one of them came from what is called the nomadic group's "Diaspora" in the Negev.

Center Manager Shai Hershkowitz stated the community's contribution began even before the modern Jewish say was established in 1948, when the 70 members of the Alhiv tribe in the north reached Yigal Alon and offered to join the Haganah and Palmach in their battles. Dr. Hershkowitz - a colonel in the reserves - shared his memories of the Bedouin trackers he served with and noted that their portion in establishing and protecting the state was not mentioned much