Israeli military attacks in Gaza spur settler violence in West Bank during olive harvest, threatening farmers’ livelihoods
Summary: Israeli military attacks on Gaza have led to an increase in violence by illegal settlers in the West Bank during the olive harvest season. Settlers, often supported by the Israeli army, are blocking roads, destroying olive trees, and threatening farmers. The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture estimates that farmers will lose access to 19,770 dunums of olive groves this year, resulting in a 15% loss of the olive harvest. Settler violence is also being carried out online, with threats and harassment targeting farmers. Despite these challenges, Palestinian farmers continue to harvest olives as a form of resistance against the ongoing occupation of their land.
As the Israeli military escalates its attacks on Gaza, illegal settlers in the West Bank are taking advantage of the situation to increase violence and restrictions on Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest. Historically, violence from settlers has intensified during this season, and this year has seen an even sharper rise in attacks. Settlers, often supported by the Israeli army, are blocking roads to farmlands, denying access to olive groves near settlements, and destroying olive trees by burning and uprooting them. This coordinated violence now poses a significant threat to Palestinian farmers and their vital olive harvests.
Widespread Destruction of Olive Groves
The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture estimates that farmers will lose access to roughly 19,770 dunums of olive groves this year due to settler and military actions, resulting in the loss of about 15% of the olive harvest. The 2023 season has been particularly challenging, with more than 96,000 dunums of olive trees left unharvested due to Israeli-imposed access restrictions. These limitations are expected to cost Palestinian farmers an estimated 1,323 tons of olive oil, leading to a direct financial loss of $10 million.
The impact is most severe in northern West Bank governorates such as Tulkerim, Qalqilya, and Nablus, where olive presses are operating far below capacity. For example, the olive press in al-Mughayir village has only managed to produce 20% of its typical output. Similarly, al-Mazra’ah al-Kibliyah’s olive production has dropped drastically, yielding just 500 kilograms of olive oil compared to its usual 150 tons.
Violence Threatens Farmers’ Livelihoods
Beyond the economic damage, Palestinian farmers face physical danger as well. Settlers regularly attack olive harvesters, often using weapons to intimidate them into leaving their lands. In addition to the violence, settlers frequently uproot or set fire to olive orchards, and in some cases, steal the olives. Many of these attacks occur under the protection of Israeli forces, which often stand by without intervening.
Settler violence has also expanded into the online world, with threats and harassment targeting farmers via social media. Attacks on farmers have been concentrated in regions like Ramallah, Nablus, and Salfit, but the violence continues across the West Bank, further complicating farmers’ ability to harvest their olives.
The Largest Land Seizure in Decades
Earlier this year, Israel conducted its largest land seizure in the West Bank in 30 years, alongside a sharp increase in settlement expansion. These new outposts and roads, often built on agricultural land, disrupt the livelihoods of Palestinian farmers. In Battir, a village near Bethlehem, settlers have expanded outposts and set up mobile homes, barring farmers from their lands for the second consecutive year. Despite these land grabs and settler crimes, there has been no accountability, with settlers enjoying protection from Israeli forces.
Olive Trees as a Symbol of Defiance
Olive trees hold deep cultural and historical significance for Palestinians, representing more than just a source of income. Their destruction is not only an economic blow but also a deliberate effort to sever Palestinians’ connection to their land. Despite these mounting challenges, Palestinian farmers continue to harvest olives as a form of resistance, with the olive tree standing as a powerful symbol of their enduring struggle.
The current surge in settler violence, aided by the broader Israeli campaign in Gaza, is part of a wider strategy to displace Palestinians from their land. While olive trees are the primary targets, they also symbolize the resilience of a people determined to defend their land and heritage against ongoing occupation.
