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Thefts at historical sites continue to be a problem throughout the world. Our correspondent visited two such sites in Israel and brings us this story.
It's very disappointing when an item or display is stolen from a heritage site.
Stealing items from a heritage site is like destroying a complete ecological process, or a complete story.
One such site is the limestone quarry on Mount Gilboa in Israel which dates back to the pioneering settlement era of the 1930s.
[Omri Shalmon, CEO, Association of Preservation Heritage Sites]:
"In other words, once someone comes here and vandalizes the place... either because he just feels like destroying something, a passion some people have, or he wants to steal metal or signs or equipment that's here... once these things are stolen you'll never see them anywhere else."
Physical heritage and culture sites include buildings, machinery and equipment.
It seems that this quarry is the only limestone quarry of its kind in Israel.
A grinder was stolen from the Mount Gilboa quarry.
It had unique historic and cultural value.
The theft interfered with the restoration and preservation process of the site.
[Omri Shalmon, CEO, Association of Preservation Heritage Sites]:
"Actually, the story is gone. The whole story was based on the technology and it's gone. By stealing the wheel, the cable, the motor or the boxcar, the entire scenery behind this huge story is gone and the story is the interesting thing. It'll be hard to tell the story without that boxcar."
Ultimately, with great effort, the quarry was restored.
The model is now on display illustrating how marble was produced in the quarry.
Another site is in the Jezreel Valley.
The Israel Railway Museum tells the story of the establishment of the State of Israel.
It also tells the story of the first railway line of the valley.
But iron railway tracks are attractive targets for metal dealers.
[Shimon Tzafrir, manager Israel Railway Museum]:
"Attempts were made to steal authentic train tracks, not many, and I hope it won't continue. We're here at a rather exciting time. We're standing beside historic tracks that are more than 100 years old. These tracks are a small sample of what's left because large segments were stolen over the years and it's very sad, it's a pity."
Once an item or a display is stolen it's very difficult to locate it because it's immediately soldered or shredded and finding a replacement takes a long time.
[Ran Chedvati , The Association of Preservation Heritage Sites]:
"I want to say something about how it feels to walk up this hill; I'm a very sensitive person... I see the entire site in my head and suddenly I notice that the grinder is missing. I immediately understood that metal thieves stole it. It's hard to describe what goes through your mind and heart at that moment, the despair and disappointment, the sense of loss."
Over the years hundreds of items have been stolen from the Heritage Sites, and the number just continues to rise.
Reporter:Janet Zrian Photographer:Anat Markram
NTD News, Jezreel Valley, Israel
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