The Palestinian Arabs blame Israel for a great many things. I learned recently that for years they have been claiming that the Israelis, always seeking ways to harm the inoffensive Palestinians, have been deliberately raising wild boars in order to set them loose to forage for food in Palestinian farms, where they eat the crops, and rampage destructively through the farmland.
This charge was first made before a large audience by Mahmoud Abbas in 2014:
Several Palestinian media outlets on November 21 quoted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as accusing Israel of using “wild pigs” against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Abbas’s allegation was made during a speech he delivered at a pro-Palestinian conference in Ramallah on Friday night.
This was not the first time the PA accused Israel of releasing pigs to destroy agricultural fields in the West Bank.
In the past, the PA has claimed the IDF and settlers released wild pigs in Palestinian- owned lands to damage crops and intimidate farmers.
“Every night, they [Israelis] release wild pigs against us,” Abbas was quoted as saying in his speech. “Why are they doing this to us?”
But “they” [the Israelis] are not “doing this to us” [the Palestinians].
Wild boars are known to be especially destructive as they root around for food. Further, as members of the pig family they are regarded with special disgust by the Muslim Palestinians, who want nothing to do with the crops that have survived but that the wild boars have rendered “unclean” by being in contact with them. But there has never been any evidence offered to support this charge. No Israelis have ever been caught delivering wild boars to Palestinian agricultural areas, not before Abbas first made that charge publicly in 2014, and not in any of the years since. There are tens of thousands of wild boars in Israel; it would be very hard to prevent all of them from damaging farmland, whether that belonging to Jew or Arab, and both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered from their depredations.
Far from destroying Palestinian farmland, the Israelis have shared their agricultural prowess, including the latest advances in drip irrigation, and how to enhance seeds so that they produce more plentiful and robust crops, giving a big boost in yields. Let’s not forget how eager Israel was to turn over its 3,000 greenhouses and the thriving business in fruits and vegetables Israelis in Gaza had built to the Palestinians. It was not they, but the Palestinians themselves, who vandalized and destroyed those greenhouses. Of course, the Israeli help with irrigation and higher crop yields, freely offered to Palestinian farmers, is never publicly recognized by the recipients. Instead, the official line of the PA ignores that aid, and accuses the Israelis of trying to harm the Palestinian farmers in any way they can. Among those ways, the favorite charge is that they set loose wild boars.
The boars’ natural habitat is the forest around Mount Carmel, right next to Haifa. But ever since the mayor of Haifa ended the culling of the wild boars – forbidding them to be hunted – in 2019, their numbers have multiplied by the dozens, and some believe will soon increase to the hundreds unless culling is brought back. They have made their way to Haifa, where they have been increasingly brazen, blocking traffic, digging up public gardens, and even overturning large garbage bins.
In the last few months, with people in lockdown because of the coronavirus, the problem has only gotten worse. With the streets and parks largely empty of people, the boars roam free, with no one to yell at them, or shoo them away with sticks.
Many residents of Haifa, a predominantly Jewish city of 300,000, with a significant Arab minority, are fed up with the boars, who have multiplied since the left-wing mayor, an animal rights sentimentalist, ended the killing of the animals last fall. Some residents are worried that the boars might attack children. They are no longer afraid to appear in broad daylight, and appear indifferent to the few humans they encounter, and the few cars on the roads, as they walk serenely across the streets.
“I’m scared that after the coronavirus passes, the boars will have gotten used to coming every day, every night, every hour,” said Yaron Hanan, 63, who runs a public campaign that has been calling for a municipal crackdown on the animals.
The appearance of the wild boars in Haifa, having arrived from the Mt. Carmel forest, does remind us that these animals are a menace to everyone. There is still no evidence Israel has been using them to spitefully damage Palestinian farms. Israel has, in fact, done everything it can to help those farmers increase their yield. The wild boars are just as destructive to Israeli as to Palestinian farms, and now, with so many people in lockdown, to the urban environment of Israelis and Arabs in Haifa as well. The Israeli and Palestinian farmers’ common enemy, Mahmoud Abbas should, but probably won’t, take notice, are the animal-rights sentimentalists who refuse to let anyone touch a hair on the bristly heads of these wild and, thanks to the coronavirus, no-longer-so-wild marauders.
RichardL says
wild boars breed exponentially and they are the smartest animals I have ever hunted. This one is a male under-one year old bugger. No better meat than that.
Wilson Shoshana says
Pork is a problem. Do some research on why G-d would tell us that this is an unclean animal. Swine do not have sweat glands, so all the toxins stay in the skin. “In Leviticus 11:27, G-d forbids Moses and his followers to eat swine “because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud.” Furthermore, the prohibition goes, “Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean to you.”
Kepha says
Well, before meeting a Roman Centurion who became the first fully Gentile convert to Christ, the Apostle Peter was given a vision of all sorts of animals, birds, and creeping things, and commaded to “kill and eat”. Surely there ought to be a residual Christian population–or Thai and Chinese migrants–for whom some pork would be welcome?
shosh shosha says
Since the message of eternal destination is more important than not eating pork, it is true the L-rd did open the way for non-Jews to eat according to their customary diets, so each one eats to his own desire. G-d graciously opened the way for salvation by removing a stumbling block for non Jews. My taste is determined by the uncleanness of the animal and the Torah. My sister is a nurse and she has seen some very good reasons for not eating pork . Here is one of them: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichinosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378583
RichardL says
Somehow I doubt the mayor is doing this for religious reasons. I have not found evidence that she has forbidden to catch shrimp and other forbidden seafood and she does not seem to really follow many of the other Jewish laws.
The pigs will do massive damage and once they have multiplied the population is difficult to control.
She could probably dispatch a small pig with a hand chop though 😉
Wellington says
Guess you’re not a fan of BLTs which I have been eating on a regular basis as well as other fine pork products like North Carolina BBQ spare ribs—and I’m an old guy.
You know, organically grown carrots and other organically grown vegetables have more cancer-causing nitrates in them than just about any other food group. And legumes do all kinds of terrible things to the intestinal tract. Bottom feeders in the seas, like shrimp and catfish, are also terrible for you—or are they?
Just eat what you want in moderation. No way a pork sandwich or such occasionally is bad for you long term. And don’t forget the shrimp and catfish, both quite delicious but being bottom-feeders they eat the excrement of “others.” But I say, so what? Besides, you can usually balance most anything with a large glass of orange juice (with a shot of vodka in it all the better). Hope you’re not opposed to OJ.
James Lincoln says
Wellington,
A properly prepared BLT with the best of ingredients is absolutely delicious.
Add an IPA on draft and you’ve got a little piece of heaven…
Johnny Gorman says
Oh for goodness’ sake! God told Peter “Call nothing which I have made clean, as unclean” [Acts 10:14-15]
Modern meat processing, not to mention modern cooking techniques, will kill any impurities in any meats. I, and millions of people in every corner of America, have been enjoying, for example, barbecued baby back ribs, or rolled pork roasts since the early days of our nation. No one I know has ever been sickened by any properly-cooked, fresh pork or any other kinds of fresh meat.
P.S. Remember Rule # 1: Everything tastes better with Bacon!
David says
And if they would start eating BLTs and drinking alcohol we would get peace in the Middle East. They wouldn’t be angry all the time.
AleX says
To all these elegant hogs, pigs, boars, piglets, sows of the cutest kind, to whatever piggy puppies out there: my admiration for your porkish gallantry. And allah, you are a fool!
FYI says
To those who are familiar with Asterix..
Somebody call OBELIX:there is a Boar on the loose..
carpediadem says
You anticipated me! 😀
Obelix would fix ’em!
FYI says
..and perhaps while Obelix hunts boar with his friendly dog Dogmatix, some unfortunate Roman Legionaires, wandering in trepidation the woods in the vicinity of that Gaulish village we Asterix fans know so well, under the command of someone {…usually with a name like Crismus Bonus or something..}they will encounter him….
PAF!
John J. Hanley Jr says
Pay back is a matter of fact , whether it is intended or by mother nature !!!!
Templer says
One thing these muszes are scarred off its pigs ? even pork products there so backward it’s be one belate beastly pedo pihler fine but pigs and pork harm it’s the only thing the west can keep up against these animals
wpm says
Wild pigs are a problem in many parts of North America,especially in the rural South(they are not a native to the Americas) they breed very fast, mate with escape pigs from farms and breed like rabbits.Many places in America encourage hunting them on private and posted permit public land with no bag limits.They can grow to over 500 pounds and are very aggressive killing and eating many native animals and plants .The animal lover idiot mayor of Haifa putting “animal rights” ahead of the well being of the citizens he represents.That being said this natural occurrence by logic is not some “Jewish plot” I am sure the hogs are eating and digging up both Arab ,Christian and Jewish gardens,farms ,lawns without caring what religion the owners believe in.Islam does not believe in logic,reason ,or common sense encourages non-rational thinking I am sure if there is a flood, hale storm ,or earthquake they would blame the Jews.
Michael Copeland says
Picture of 500 pound hog killed in Texas……
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/hogzilla-giant-36-stone-wild-boar-3237611
Michael Copeland says
Correction: North Carolina
RichardL says
crazy! 300 was the biggest I ever saw hanging from the scales and 200 the biggest I ever shot. He must have hit the ear perfectly: I have seen bullets bounce of their thick skulls. But you can’t eat these really big buggers, because they essentially are breeding all year your in these climates and are full of nasty hormones. Shame we don’t have any in PA.
Wilson Shoshana says
Iranian mullahs accused Israel of stealing their clouds so Iranians would have no rain.
Beverly says
Islam and science ARE mutually exclusive.
Wellington says
“Islam and science ARE mutually exclusive.”
So is common sense, moral intelligence and as well, a la that turd the Ayatollah Khomeini, fun. Ditto for fine beer, pictorial art, great music, equality under the law, an overall decent legal system, a true Golden Rule for all, a live and let live approach to life and, most important here, freedom.
In fact, what good thing is Islam for I would ask and which can’t be found elsewhere? Off hand, can’t think of one damn thing.
Quite the legacy all you Muslims out there have. Man, have you been had.
David says
I have actually found one good thing about Islam. It concerns how they pray. I have found that if I have terrible gas and bloating if I get down on the ground, put my ass in the air and head between my hands I pass that gas with little problem. I blow it out my ass with gusto!
Niemoller says
In other words, Islamists have no appreciation for the natural environment and native wildlife, especially if Muhammad disliked it. Islamists (anyone who supports physically coercive Islamism) hate this world and are focused on the “afterlife”, thus their priorities on Earth are to hate what Muhammad hated, including non-muslims and wild boars.
keith says
More than half the male population is running around with weapons of all kinds and they can’t work out that you should shoot the pigs?
What’s going on? are they saving the ammo to use against the invading Jews???
WANKERS.
ntesdorf says
Wild Boars roaming loose In Haifa during the Lockdown are a lot safer and more intelligent than Muslim Arabs running wild in Haifa.
gravenimage says
Wild Boars Running Wild In Haifa During Lockdown
………………….
Muslims blame Jews for everything–what a bunch of morons.
Battle says
Sorry. Saint Paul.
Fay No says
GREAT IDEA! Keep sending the wild boars to all Muslim terrorist areas! They will be a great addition to the Israeli military!
OLD GUY says
I’ve often thought that we should drop pig bombs on muslim enemy countries, from what I’ve heard they would be vary effective at keeping the muslim men busy chasing the females.
gravenimage says
This sort of thing has become quite common where people are leaving many areas deserted during the Coronavirus lockdown. Even here in the crowded San Francisco bay area, we are getting huge numbers of sightings of wild animals, sometimes right on normally busy streets:
“Wildlife rescue expert explains increase for bobcat, mountain lion, coyote sightings in Bay Area amid COVID-19 pandemic”
https://abc7news.com/bobcat-sighting-fremont-police-animals-coronavirus-coyote/6170329/