JERUSALEM, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- A nationwide strike by dairy farmers has triggered a severe milk shortage in Israeli supermarkets on Tuesday.
The Israeli Cattle Breeders Association (ICBA), which unites dairy farms across the country, announced an indefinite strike, halting milk deliveries to dairies in protest of a government reform aimed at lowering consumer prices.
The proposed overhaul, promoted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, would remove production quotas, scrap price protections for local milk, and eliminate all import tariffs on dairy products.
Smotrich claimed the reform would reduce costs and boost competition, but farmers warned it could force up to 400 local farms to shut down, citing high production costs, strict regulations, and the market dominance of a few large dairies.
"Without understanding or checking anything, the ministry made a plan that destroys the whole milk sector," ICBA Chairman Israel Bloch told Ynet news website.
In response, Smotrich issued a video statement, blaming market monopolies for high prices. He added that the government must ensure milk remains available and affordable, whether produced locally or imported. ■
