Israel Prepares for Jewish Violence During Olive Harvest

Israel's security establishment is preparing for potential violence by Jewish individuals against Palestinians during the upcoming olive harvest in the West Bank. Security forces are planning to increase their presence and have issued clear directives to ensure Palestinians can harvest their olives unimpeded, even if settlers attempt to disrupt the process violently. A military assessment regarding the harvest, which begins in about a month, took place within the IDF yesterday. A military source told Kan News that the security apparatus is ready with enhanced forces and plans to facilitate the harvest everywhere, "even if settlers try to disrupt it through violence." The IDF is expected to deploy two additional battalions to the region to prevent escalation during the High Holidays and the harvest season. This preparation comes amid ongoing concerns about settler violence, with a recent report mentioning the arrest of a 19-year-old suspected of involvement in riots in Qusra, and documented instances of Jewish rioters praying with soldiers, leading to the dismissal of their commander.