Negev Water Plant Arson: Sewage Flows to Beersheba Amid Extortion
Criminals in the Negev suspected of torching a wastewater treatment plant electrical room, causing sewage to flood toward Beersheba amid extortion demands.
Khaled Abu Ghanem, CEO of the Neve Midbar water corporation, describes a grim reality in the Negev: "When criminals are caught, it is hard to prove the offense. A day, two days, a week, and they go home - and return to take revenge." These words followed the suspected arson of an electrical room at the corporation's wastewater treatment plant, causing all Hebron Stream sewage to flow toward Beersheba.
Behind the arson lies a series of protection racket incidents and the corporation's refusal to pay criminals. Abu Ghanem, who has been under security detail for a year, told ynet that sophisticated criminals leave almost no traces. He noted that last year saw numerous acts of vandalism, including at pumping stations in Tel Sheva, leading to ongoing sewage leaks toward Beersheba.
The Neve Midbar water corporation provides services to Hura, Lakiya, Segev Shalom, Kuseife, Tel Sheva, Arara in the Negev, and the communities of the Al-Kasom Regional Council. In a report published last April, former State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman warned of a severe lack of governance in the Negev, which harms deterrence, public safety, and economic stability.
