Is there hope that the plague of beehive-thefts may soon end? Although the police recently arrested a Bedouin from southern Israel for aiding in such a theft, they released him today after a 48-hour detention. He admitted his involvement, but said that he had merely rented his vehicle and crane to two Palestinians who organized the theft. Roni Feldman, head of the Bee Raisers Task Force Against Thefts, feels that the police may be missing a chance to once and for all get to the bottom of this plague:
Feldman said that losses to the bee raisers have reached into the millions of shekels, and that some of them face financial collapse as a result. Many insurance companies refuse to insure the hives. Some 300 beehives have been stolen this month from areas near the Palestinian-controlled areas; each one is worth roughly $500. Elements within the Palestinian Authority have long been known to be involved in the thefts.
\"This is a network involving many elements, and the robbers are very skilled and knowledgeable. For instance, this latest theft involved the removal of a half-ton concrete block that was placed there to foil such actions; they had to use a large crane. Is this the work of amateurs?\"
Feldman said that losses to the bee raisers have reached into the millions of shekels, and that some of them face financial collapse as a result. Many insurance companies refuse to insure the hives. Some 300 beehives have been stolen this month from areas near the Palestinian-controlled areas; each one is worth roughly $500. Elements within the Palestinian Authority have long been known to be involved in the thefts.