Mr. Herzl Avidor, who heads Israel’s honey council, visited the President’s Residence on Sunday, 15 Elul. The president was given several varieties of honey to taste.

Avidor explained to President Reuven Rivlin that there is a shortage this year ahead of Rosh Hashanah and therefore they will not meet the demand of over 3,000 tons of honey as is produced annually because of the disappearance of the bees internationally. Avidor attributes the phenomenon to indoors pests that affect the bees as well as the use of pesticides and the radical change in climate.

Avidor adds that in addition to the honey, bees are necessary for pollinating crops and may sensitive species cannot survive without the bees pollinating them. He explained to Mr. Rivlin there is a select group of beekeepers and a number of generations of beekeepers who bring the honey all over Israel.

Avidor stated that currently there are 500 beekeepers in Israel and they deal with 100,000 hives scattered throughout the county of which 40,000 hives are placed in agricultural growing areas to pollinate the crops. He added “We have been dealing with the worrying phenomenon of the disappearance of bees and the decline in nectar in the country and around the world for a number of years”.

Among the honey given to the president was honey flowers, hyssop, carob, and tamarisk flowers.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)