Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Israel prepares for potential locust swarm headed from Yemen and Sudan

Though the insects do not pose a threat of disease, they can wreak havoc on agricultural crops.

Thousands of grasshoppers seen flying over the Ramat Negev on March 5, 2013. Photo by Dudu Greenspan/Flash90.
Thousands of grasshoppers seen flying over the Ramat Negev on March 5, 2013. Photo by Dudu Greenspan/Flash90.

Following heavy rainfalls in eastern Yemen and the Sudan-Eritrea border, Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a warning that locust swarms may arrive in Israel.

The Plant Protection and Inspection Services department of the Ministry are coordinating with the United Nations to receive updates on locust movement in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, according to a report by Ynet.

As part of the preparations, Israel is checking its supply of pesticide. Though the insects do not pose a threat of disease, they can wreak havoc on agricultural crops.

A U.N. report indicates that the locusts are making their way towards Israel, but still have far to travel and may not opt to make a visit to the Jewish state.

The last time Israel was hit by a swarm of locusts was in 2013. Though Israel managed to hit the swarm with a wall of pesticide on the border with Sinai, some insects still managed to enter into central Israel.

“Pittsburgh parents deserve complete transparency, intellectually honest instruction and an assurance that their children’s education is being guided by academic excellence rather than ideological objectives,” Steve Rosenberg, of NAVI, told JNS.
Q&A
In a wide-ranging pre-election interview with JNS, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discusses his alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump; the necessity to act against Iran; expand the Abraham Accords; tackle domestic challenges, including reintroducing judicial reforms; and further strengthening the Israeli economy.
Metropolitan Police are treating the assaults as a hate crime following swift intervention by Shomrim volunteers.
A central message of the prime minister’s campaign is that the “change camp” can’t win without the support of Arab parties.