West Bank Experiences Worst Olive Harvest in Years, Leaving Oil Presses Inoperable

In recent weeks, the olive harvest in the West Bank has been marred by a surge of violence linked to settler attacks, sparking serious humanitarian concerns. With the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reporting at least 167 incidents between October 1 and November 10, the alarming trend not only highlights the struggles faced by local Palestinian farmers but also underscores the need for collective action and international awareness of the ongoing challenges in the region.

Between October 1 and November 10, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented 167 incidents of settler violence related to the olive harvest, resulting in casualties and property damage. Local sources indicate that the actual figures may be significantly higher than reported, given the undercounting associated with such events.

OCHA further notes a troubling increase in the number of affected communities, which has now reached 87, double the figure from earlier in 2023. This escalation is largely attributed to the expansion of settler outposts and infrastructure into new areas of the occupied West Bank, further exacerbating tensions.

Moustafa Badaha, a 48-year-old olive grove owner in Deir Ammar, has been directly impacted by these developments. Since the establishment of a new settler outpost near his home in July, he has recorded multiple incidents of vandalism, including settlers breaking his fence and stealing farming equipment. The situation worsened for the nearby Bedouin community of Ein Ayyoub, which faced attacks from settlers forcing them out and rendering the area a “closed military zone” through military orders.

According to Ali Abu al-Kaak Badaha, the mayor of Deir Ammar, the rising hostility from settlers has hindered villagers’ access to their farms, particularly in the eastern and southern parts of the village. This year, he noted, the community has been entirely cut off, with settlers, supported by Israeli soldiers, extending their aggression to the western side where Moustafa’s property lies. In addition to physical attacks, settlers have reportedly been sending their cattle to graze on the villagers’ groves, a tactic that adds insult to injury.

The rise of settler violence during the olive harvest period is echoed by testimonies from farmers who describe feeling under constant threat. Izzat, a local farmer, lamented that even venturing out to harvest olives has become perilous due to the omnipresence of settlers, stating, “This year, everywhere you go for the olive harvest, the settlers find you. And they attack you.”

Kai Jack, a field coordinator for Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR), has witnessed this disturbing trend firsthand while accompanying Palestinian farmers. He described a common pattern where settlers easily coordinate with military forces after spotting protective activists. Jack highlighted an incident on October 16, when he and a group of solidarity activists joined villagers to pick olives on the west side of Deir Ammar. Shortly after they began, two female Israeli soldiers ordered them to leave, claiming the area was designated a closed military zone. Despite initial resistance based on the absence of official orders, the situation escalated when armed settlers arrived, leading to confrontations.

On that day, the situation deteriorated further as armed settlers began chasing villagers, hurling rocks amidst a chaotic scene where the lines between soldiers and settlers were blurred. Reports of physical assaults on families within the groves included injuries, as seen with Yousef Dar al-Musa, who recounted his traumatic experience only days later at his family home.

The ongoing issues surrounding olive harvests in the West Bank not only reflect the daily realities faced by Palestinian communities but also emphasize the need for effective dialogue and peace initiatives in the region. As violence escalates and international attention remains vital, it is imperative that humanitarian concerns are prioritized, fostering a greater understanding of the complexities at hand.

#MiddleEastNews #LifestyleNews