The state comptroller's report published today (Tuesday) pointed to serious deficiencies in the police's handling of agricultural crime. Among other things, the comptroller stated that the presence of police units in the field should be increased to deter criminals.

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Sharon Cheri, a farmer in Be'er Milka in the south of the country, told about the difficulties faced by the farmers: "There were very few cases where they found what was stolen. In the best case, some of the stolen tools were returned by the police, but there are almost no arrests, the state does not want to enforce. The state She knows how to do everything, she knows how to make an underground obstacle, a border fence, promote legal reform. No one makes an effort to address the root of the problem here, nothing has changed."

"We fought in the past and nothing has changed, we guard ourselves every night, but the criminals also understand this and start stealing earlier. They have no fear, these people are not deterred by anything," he added.

Is there a fear that it will escalate beyond agricultural tools?
"Unequivocally. It always starts with something. Once they said they would only import tomatoes, and now they import dozens of fruits and vegetables. It always starts with one thing and unfolds. The Negev must be defined as a separate region from the State of Israel. It takes a lot of thinking to stop something that is almost out of control. There is also Lots of illegal cannabis greenhouses. The crime here is not controlled, I want Giuliani of the Negev here. The country is really not on the way there, we thought Giuliani was coming with a cap and glasses and in the end they put a pita on his head."

"All the time is about defending"
He shared the main difficulty he faces: "During the nine years I've been a farmer, I've had equipment worth almost NIS 100,000 stolen. The moral damage exceeds the financial, you're constantly dealing with defending yourself. We tried to build a barrier, but in the end the country is not with us. We kidnap the The damage continues. If the state does not intend to enact laws – let us act."

"Give me the ability to treat those who enter my farm or home like in the United States. This is not a situation I want, but this is the situation we have reached. Until 2019 there was no agricultural crime here, with Corona they started looking for other options, who to attack and it swelled until it became Uncontrollable. There is no change and nothing, nothing is done. In our WhatsApp group we ask every week who is next in line. There is a farmer who invested a quarter of a million shekels on the protection," he added.

Ignition at the base of the Ma'ala (photo: Molik Hamer, Genie Agency)

"Damage in tens of thousands of shekels"
Tomer, a farmer in Moshav Sde Moshe in Lakish, also shared the difficulties experienced by farmers: "We suffer from the theft of agricultural tools and tractors. On the eve of the holiday, my van was stolen from my house – they steal irrigation systems and even young seedlings. All this and I haven't even gotten to the significant damage that is theft The fruits. When they steal, they also cause tens of thousands of shekels of personal damage, whether it's when they steal fruits or water systems, they do it in a brutal way."

He also said: "During the season there isn't a week without thefts, there are even times when it happens every day, depending on the demand, what they are looking to steal at that particular moment. I submit a complaint after every incident. Two years ago two dunams of greenhouses were set on fire and nothing has happened since, even One is not caught. We are left alone in the campaign. The only ones helping us are the new guard, apart from that we are alone."

Burning straw at the Kadori school (photo: North District fire barges)

Tomer elaborated on his difficult feelings: "During the season there is not a week without thefts, there are even times when it happens every day, depending on the demand, what they are looking to steal at that particular moment. I submit a complaint after every incident. Two years ago two dunams of greenhouses were set on fire and nothing happened Since then, no one has been caught. We remain alone in the campaign. The only ones who help us are the new guard, apart from that we are alone. In recent years, I have caused damage of hundreds of thousands of shekels as a result of agricultural crime, there is no punishment."

"We need to strengthen the police and increase deterrence. If someone is caught and documented, I expect there to be a significant punishment in court and not a punishment that pays off for committing the crime again. As soon as the fine is NIS 500, it pays to commit the crime. It's very difficult to catch, it's tens of thousands of dunams, you can't be everywhere If by chance you managed to catch it, then let there be a proper punishment," he added.