Farmers from all over Israel converge on Jerusalem to protest
Farmers plan to protest what they deem "unilateral" government policy that is weakening Israeli agriculture and making the country dependent on outside suppliers.
The farmers are protesting against what they refer to as unilateral government policy on agriculture. "It starts with opening the market to wild imports, high water prices for farmers, brokerage fees, costs of employing foreign workers and other things," said protest organizers.
The Israel Farmers Association, which is leading the struggle, recruited the heads of regional councils and youth groups to accompany the protest convoy to Jerusalem. Farmers arrived in Jerusalem from the Galilee, valleys all over the country and the Arava in trucks and vans.
Police closed several streets in Jerusalem near the government complex in preparation for the demonstration.
Secretary General of the Moshav Movement and Director of the Israel Farmers Association, Meir Tzur, said that the State of Israel had to come to its senses and change its policy toward farmers and agriculture. "We are demanding clear policy in regards to agriculture, one that strengthens us from the understanding and need for Israeli agriculture and not Turkish or Spanish agriculture."
Tzur said Israeli farmers are demanding an immediate solution to high water prices, foreign workers, brokerage fees and a reform of agricultural export regulations.
