Israel Sees Dramatic Rise in Car Theft: Most End Up in the Palestinian Authority

Car thefts used to be a plague reserved for those who live near Gaza and the West Bank — the final destination of most of these vehicles — but now they're a problem for all of Israel

Two years ago, I left the house for a meeting with a bank CEO. As I walked to the spot where my car was parked, a several-year-old Mazda, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The parking spot was empty. “They couldn’t have stolen my car,” was the first thought that crossed my mind. However, a quick search of the neighborhood made clear my car was nowhere to be found.