The Bedouins in Palestine during the Egyptian occupation 1831–1840

This article examines the historical and geographical context of the migration of Bedouin tribes in Palestine province in the period of the Egyptian occupation (1831–1840), during the rule of Muhammad Ali, the governor of Egypt, and his son Ibrahim Pasha. The novelty of this article is the examination of the unique Egyptian policy toward the Bedouin that thrived to regulate its control over them and incorporate them in the administrative system, and the means used by it, in stark contrast to the Ottoman policy that was usually more tolerant and less centralized. The semi-arid landscape facilitated the migration of Bedouins from other regions in times of conflict, resource scarcity and land management changes. During this period Palestine and the adjoined provinces were ruled by the Ottoman Empire, and the Egyptian authorities attempted to exert control over the area at large, and in so doing, sought control over the Bedouins. These efforts led to complex dynamic military conflict interspersed with occasional cooperation. While the Egyptian regime improved security and trade, the imposition of heavy taxation and compulsory conscription triggered the 1834 Fellahin Rebellion that spread to other provinces and communities and triggered the struggle for Bedouin autonomy, a struggle that had persisted as the Egyptian government employed various strategies to suppress resistance and consolidate power. However, in 1840, following the Egyptians' retreat, many Bedouin tribes reverted to their traditional nomadic lifestyles, highlighting the enduring tension between state authority and Bedouin autonomy.