Rishon LeZion, the second Jewish town established in the Land of Israel, is today the benchmark of the civilized Israeli locale. The streets are clean, recycling is commonplace, and people push a little less in the line for the bus than in nearby Tel Aviv. But in the last few weeks, somebody has been causing a real stink there.

Wherever we are, keeping us from the filthy sewage flowing underground are just blocks of metal – sewage lids. And in Rishon LeZion, someone has been stealing them. Not just the odd one. According to local media reports some 180 sewage lids have been illegally removed during the last two months.

The local municipality has engaged a private security company to guard the city’s remaining lids, and police are working to track down the thief or thieves. It has called on the public to be vigilant, keep an eye on lids, and report anyone ”handling” them who shouldn’t be.

Of course, all of this begs the question – what’s happening to them? Keep your eyes peeled next time you’re on eBay.

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