New Report Details Wave of Animal Poisonings Near Palestinian Village

A new report from the Binyamin Regional Council reveals at least 11 incidents of animal poisonings or the discovery of suspected poisoned food and water sources on farms along Highway 458, near the Palestinian village of Al-Moeiyeer. Since June 2025, dozens of sheep, goats, cows, and dogs have died or been injured. The most recent documented case involved two goats found dead at the Matzadat David farm, with poisoning suspected though final findings are pending.

The report indicates varied methods were used, including poisoned dates and pita bread found in grazing areas, and suspected poisons discovered in water troughs and wells. Trackers identified footprints leading towards nearby villages in several instances. Specific incidents detailed include poisoned dates found in February, four sheep injured in May after a suspected well poisoning at the Shlisa farm, and two sheep killed and 15 injured in July at the same farm following the discovery of poison in a trough. Poisoned dates were also found near Tel Talfit, killing two dogs, and in August, a sheep died and five were injured at Shlisa farm, with another sheep injured at Ma'alot David farm.

The Binyamin Council suspects involvement of anarchist activists, citing the timing and proximity of these incidents to attacks on shepherds. On August 30, shepherds were stoned near Al-Moeiyeer, and an anarchist activist attacked and injured another shepherd. On September 2, coinciding with the discovery of the dead goats, another shepherd was attacked by an anarchist activist. The council urges security forces to investigate this possibility, expressing particular concern over the poisoning of water sources, which they warn could escalate to human drinking water.

The council also highlighted the security importance of the farms located in the open areas between Al-Moeiyeer and Highway 458, stating that the farmers' presence deters friction points and provides an additional layer of protection for the highway, used daily by thousands of Israelis. A previous report by the council and the Association of Farms indicated a significant decrease in terror incidents along Highway 458 correlating with the expansion of these farms. In 2022, with three farms, there were 459 incidents, dropping to 126 in 2024 with 11 farms, and only 52 in the first half of 2025 with 13 farms.

Israel Gantz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, stated, "If we remain silent when sheep are poisoned, we will cry when Israelis are poisoned." He called on the security establishment to act immediately to apprehend those responsible and stop the phenomenon before it escalates to targeting humans.