Five shekels for a bird: The cruel phenomenon spreading in Judea and Samaria

The songbird hunting phenomenon in Judea and Samaria is expanding: birds are caught in mist nets, plucked, fried, and sold for 5 shekels each. Two hunting cells were caught within two days in the Hebron area. Another investigation revealed suspicion of trafficking in thousands of protected birds. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority emphasizes that this is a widespread phenomenon, not isolated incidents, against the backdrop of the area's location on a major migration route.

The phenomenon of songbird hunting in Judea and Samaria is expanding, as evidenced by the capture of two hunting cells within two days. Last week, a father and his two children were caught in the area between Halhul and Hebron on suspicion of hunting using mist nets – thin, nearly invisible nets stretched between tall poles. Another cell using a similar method was caught the following day. The birds, after being plucked and fried, are sold for 5 shekels each, weighing 4-5 grams apiece. Each tray holds 15-20 birds, and in an 8-9 hour shift, each cell catches 50-500 birds. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority emphasizes that this is a widespread phenomenon, with thousands of migratory birds hunted each season. The area lies on one of the important migration routes between Europe, Asia, and Africa, similar to Cyprus, Malta, Lebanon, Sinai, and North Africa. Songbirds play an important ecological role in regulating insect populations and dispersing seeds. The authority calls on the public to report nets or cages without confronting suspects.