Israel hosted its first state-sanctioned camel race on Friday, drawing thousands of spectators to the southern region near Ashalim, about 22 miles from Beersheva.
Organized by the local Bedouin community along with several governmental bodies, the event featured over 40 camels, with younger camels racing a 6-kilometer course and older ones tackling a 12-kilometer route.
State backing enabled comprehensive support, including first aid stations, police presence, and viewing tents with bilingual commentary, marking a step towards safer and more organized camel racing for the Bedouin community.