Northern Golan Heights Farmers have begun uprooting fruit trees because quotas on use of water do not allow enough irrigation, orchard growers told Voice of Israel government radio Monday morning. The value of the uprooted orchards was estimated at 100 million shekels ($28.5 million).
Agriculture Minister Shalom Simchon (Labor) said that the Mekorot company, which operates the water carrying system in the country, should be allowed to independently initiate new projects, such as the proposed canal from the Red Sea, which could save the country from a worsening water crisis.