(Hat Tip: Nature & National Parks Protection Authority)
Upper Galilee Head park officer Offer Yaacov of the Nature & National Parks Protection Authority could feel something was wrong. With his men he traced down a dubious group of people, suspecting them for performing illegal porcupine hunt. When Yaacov succeeded to block the suspects’ car, one of the (alleged) hunters approached him and hit him in the head with a bludgeon. Sometime during the confrontation Yaacov’s gun fell down. The hunter did not think twice – he reached down to it, held the gun to the park officer’s head and said: “You’d better get your car off the road.” The young hunter and his two companions left with Yaacov’s gun, and although they were arrested by the police that chased them down, they were released that very night to a partial house arrest.
It didn’t take long before Yaacov got a phone call from the audacious hunter, who threatened him to keep silent, “I know who you are and where you live.” Yaacov too knew the person on the other side of the line: the son of a herdsman whom Yaacov had given professional advice.
Apparently this is not the first case of violence manifested against nature reserves officers – lawbreakers have tried to fend off officers on duty by drowning them, running them over and hurling bricks at them. These are not just porcupine or partridge hunters (recently labeled as protected animal in Israel), but also local villagers who run their illegal businesses on the account of the country’s natural resources – selling dug earth, cutting down trees, polluting, you just name it.
The park officers, who are well aware of the dangers of their occupation, feel discriminated; “but what if a gun was pointed at some cop’s head, would they still release the offender the same night?”
It’s about time that criminals in Israel – of all stripes – get punished for their wrong-doings. No wonder they feel free to take the law (and the law-keeper ‘s gun) into their hands. There’s no other way out – but to fight fire with fire!
October 26, 2006 at 1:26 am
In Florida, use of a gun during any crime will bring 3 (minium MANDATORY)to 10 years in jail. The case your describing above, most likely 7-10. And if I’m not mistaken, there is a “cooling off” period where they are held 3 days before release to any bond/house arrest pending trial.
October 26, 2006 at 7:48 am
Only goes to show absolute disdain for the law in this
country – espcially by some segments of the population.
Regarding hunting; there are many hunters who are very
interested in abiding the wildlife conservation laws, as
this assures them the ability to enjoy their aport.
Others, particularly elements of the country’s Arab and
Druze population who regard hunting as a right of Manhood, no
matter what the consequenses. Some indigenous wildlife
species, including Partridges and hares are even fast
becomming endangered due to hunting abuses and by
illegal hunting by imported Thai and other agricultural
workers. Gamewardens need to to have more legal powers to
deal with lawbreakers. Thier job is no less dangerous
than border policemen as they often have to deal with
people who are better armed than they are.
October 26, 2006 at 2:30 pm
This incident goes to show us that until law and order will be
established in Israel( which unfortunately still is’nt),incidents
like this and many many even worse incidents will continue,
I believe all policemen,judges and politicians must first learn
to respect the law and enforce the law without any discounts!
only then Israel will become a real country like many of the
civilized countries.
October 27, 2006 at 5:37 pm
Hey Jack,
Where you from, boy? The U.S?
Is law an order over there any better, especially after
so many shooting incidents?
Many places in America still seem like the Wild West, withg guns
available to just about anyone – even semi-autos like
AK’s.
A lot of hunting violations happen there too, especially
during Hunting Season. Ask Dick Cheny!