Suspects caught red handed stealing produce from Gaza border fields

• Published date: 06 December 2020
• Author: CELIA JEAN
• Date: 06 December 2020
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The suspects were caught in the act in two locations as they were noticed by the security forces during regular patrol activities stealing produce and putting it in their vehicle.

Among the produce stolen were oranges, clementines, grapefruits, tomatoes, various kinds of peppers, potatoes, eggplant, lemons and zucchinis.

One of the workers was a resident of the southern settlement of Mivtahim, a second from Ofakim, and two were foreign workers.

Stealing produce is an unfortunately common phenomenon in Israel, the general goal being to steal the items then sell them illegally to merchants and other buyers. In 2019 following a major theft of avocados and watermelons, police released a report detailing that this type of theft has a major impact on the Israeli market and economy.

The problem is not only the damage to the farmers' livelihoods, but also the damage done while illicitly harvesting the crops, which has a knock-one effect on future growth within the fields, hurting both ends of the trade. Often stolen produce can raise overall prices of fruits and vegetables at markets.

Moreover, since the start of the coronavirus crisis farmers in the Gaza area have been struggling financially. In May, President Reuven Rivlin met with farmers from the Gaza border in the Eshkol regional...