Opinion & Comment
Observations: Sand Bandits

Until now thieves had it easy in Israel. They were able to engage in their trade almost undisturbed, and when they were caught, often after violent pursuits, they spent a short time behind bars and were released with a large fine and put on probation.

This situation is about to change. From now on anyone caught is liable to find himself behind bars for three years--if he is caught stealing sand.

The first victim of this change was a Netanya resident who was caught digging sand illegally. Netanya District Court Judge Chaled Kabub sentenced the sand-thief to three years in jail.

The judge based his decision on information recently published by enforcement officials in charge of sand stealing that says sand thieves supply ten percent of the sand used annually in Israel. But unlike the companies that dig under licensed supervision, the outlaws dig in protected areas such as nature reserves and national parks. The culprits are an organized band of criminals who position lookouts to warn them of the arrival of police, and who use force in confrontations with inspectors and police officers.

Thieves beware! Leave the sand alone.

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