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Hundreds of farmers protest ‘destructive’ dairy reform plan at junctions nationwide

53 1
05.01.2026

Hundreds of farmers across the country demonstrated on Monday to protest against the government’s planned reforms of the agricultural dairy industry that they charge will destroy local businesses.

Farmers and dairy farmers gathered at major intersections, lining up tractor convoys to block roads in protest of the government-led reform.

Protesters hoisted flags, spilled milk on the ground, and chanted slogans including “We’re fighting for the future of agriculture,” and “Zionism and security can’t be imported.”

More than a thousand people participated in the protests, according to Channel 12, which estimated attendance across some dozen demonstrations.

The Finance Ministry, led by Smotrich, plans to scrap the regulated, centralized quota system and open the dairy market to competition.

Dairy prices have long been a flashpoint in Israel, with spikes often touching off public anger and even mass protests over the high cost of living — an issue that has consistently ranked among voters’ top concerns in recent elections.

שופכים חלב על הכביש: אלפי חקלאים מפגינים בשורת צמתים ברחבי הארץ | @uriya_keshet @tal_sabag3 https://t.co/02xhDvwJuR pic.twitter.com/POvofdyw3L

— i24NEWS (@i24NEWS_HE)

© The Times of Israel