Two Arrested in Alleged Trafficking of Thousands of Protected Songbirds for Food

Two Arab men, residents of Umm al-Fahm and the village of Anin in the Jenin area, were arrested on Monday on suspicion of hunting, smuggling, and selling thousands of protected songbirds, allegedly for consumption. The arrests followed a covert investigation by the Erez undercover unit of the Border Police in the Northern District and the Nature and Parks Authority, in cooperation with the Civil Administration's nature reserves supervisor.

Authorities suspect the two sold the birds to customers across Israel for payment, in violation of the law. During searches of their homes, hundreds of frozen carcasses of Blackcap warblers, a protected species whose hunting is prohibited, were seized. The investigation began several months ago based on intelligence received by the Coastal District undercover unit of the Border Police. Undercover officers and intelligence coordinators from the Erez unit, along with Nature and Parks Authority inspectors, gathered evidence against those involved.

As the investigation moved to the open stage, forces raided the suspects' homes. In addition to detectives and inspectors, soldiers from the West Bank Border Police and other forces participated in the operation. The detention of one suspect was extended until Wednesday, while the second is expected to appear in court today for a hearing on an extension request.

The Blackcap warbler is described by the Nature and Parks Authority as a migratory songbird from the Sylviidae family, common in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and it winters in Israel. Like all songbirds, the Blackcap is protected by law, and it is forbidden to hunt or eat it.