Bnei Brak is grappling with a severe rat infestation that has caused shock and dismay among residents. Sifrei Torah and sifrei kodesh have been discovered with gnawed edges, having been bitten by rats. The situation has worsened to the point where even a 2-year-old girl was bitten by a rat while sleeping in her bed at night.
Initially, the Bnei Brak municipality denied the extent of the problem, insisting that the city was clean. It was only after significant public pressure that measures were taken to address the issue. The city council approved a “strategic plan for general infestation,” but according to residents, there has been little to no action on the ground, and the infestation continues to escalate.
The situation has become unbearable for many. One sofer expressed devastation upon discovering 20 Sifrei Torah damaged by the rats.
In response to the outcry, the municipality has launched a comprehensive and aggressive campaign this week, focusing on exterminating the pests, destroying nests and breeding areas, and intensifying supervision of extermination efforts. Currently, municipal teams are employing various tools to combat the infestation.
{Matzav.com Israel}