Israel accused of spraying glyphosate on Syrian farms, destroying crops

Syrian farmer Hayel Alabdallah, an 81‑year‑old wheat grower from the village of Samdaniah, says aircraft operating from the Israeli‑controlled Golan Heights repeatedly sprayed a liquid over his fields early this year. He reports that the spray, identified as glyphosate, caused his crops to fail, drove livestock away and left his family without any harvest, estimating a loss of about $3,000.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that tonnage‑scale glyphosate applications have been carried out in southern Syria and border areas of Lebanon. Lebanese Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani estimates the damage at $800 million and cites laboratory tests showing concentrations 30‑50 times higher than normal. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the act an “environmental and health crime” and lodged a complaint with the United Nations in June. Israel denies the allegations, and Bayer states it does not supply glyphosate to Israel. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force continues to monitor the cease‑fire line between Israel and Syria.