Threats and destruction: who is trying to force out the Negev’s veteran beekeeper?

A beekeeper in Israel’s Negev region is facing a campaign of intimidation and sabotage, with unknown assailants repeatedly destroying his hives and leaving threatening messages. David Lasham, an experienced apiarist, has had his beekeeping equipment targeted multiple times, including an incident where vandals left a bottle filled with petrol near his hives—a clear threat of arson. The attacks have occurred even in areas close to police stations, suggesting a coordinated effort to drive him from the region. Lasham believes the destruction is a form of extortion, designed to force him to abandon his beekeeping operation in the Negev. He has expressed concern about the broader implications of the campaign, noting that bees play a crucial role in agricultural production and ecosystem health. ‘Harming bees will have a dramatic impact on food production,’ he explained. ‘Without them, there is no agriculture and no pollination.’ The identity of those behind the threats and destruction remains unknown, and the motivation for targeting Lasham’s operation has not been publicly established. The case raises questions about protection for agricultural workers in remote areas and the enforcement of anti-intimidation laws in Israel’s southern region.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.