IDF Calls for Probe into Rabbi's Olive Harvesting Ruling
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have requested an investigation into a religious ruling by Rabbi Dov Lior, which permits Jews to harvest olives from Palestinian groves. The army believes the ruling could incite violence and theft, potentially escalating tensions in Judea and Samaria. This ruling contradicts a previous opinion from other rabbis who forbade such actions, deeming them theft. Rabbi Lior, however, argues that the land belongs to the Jewish people and that Palestinian owners forfeit their rights if unable to harvest.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The IDF has called for an investigation into Rabbi Dov Lior's ruling allowing Jews to harvest Palestinian olives.
- The army fears the ruling could incite violence, theft, and further escalation in Judea and Samaria.
- Rabbi Lior's ruling permits harvesting olives from Palestinian groves, citing Jewish ownership of the land.
- This contradicts a previous ruling by Gush Etzion rabbis who forbade harvesting Arab-owned olives.
- The ruling was published amid ongoing clashes during the olive harvest season.
- The investigation falls under civilian police jurisdiction as Rabbi Lior is a civilian.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have called for an investigation into a religious ruling by Rabbi Dov Lior, associated with the Otzma Yehudit party, which permits Jews to harvest olives from Palestinian groves in Judea and Samaria. The army stated on Friday, October 16, that such statements could incite violence, theft, and further escalation of the situation. The military urged competent authorities to examine whether the ruling contains elements of criminal offenses.
A security source told Ynet that the IDF views the letter with extreme seriousness, as it encourages violent crimes, theft, incitement, and clashes that further inflame local tensions. Since Rabbi Lior is a civilian, his actions fall under the purview of the Israel Police. Nevertheless, the army believes it is essential for the relevant authorities to check if his halachic ruling constitutes incitement and encouragement of theft.
Rabbi Lior, a prominent figure in religious Zionism, published the ruling on October 16 amid ongoing clashes during the tense olive harvest season. Videos circulating that day allegedly showed Jewish radicals attacking Palestinians attempting to harvest olives and a Washington Post journalist. Other recent videos have depicted settlers harvesting olives on land they do not own.
The ruling contrasts with a previous halachic opinion from the rabbis of the Gush Etzion religious council, who explicitly forbade Jews from harvesting olives in Arab groves near settlements, deeming it theft. They proposed organizing harvests under guard and returning the yield to owners after covering collection costs.
Rabbi Lior, however, argued that the Land of Israel has always belonged to the Jewish people and that Arab owners effectively forfeit their rights to the fruit if they cannot harvest it due to security concerns. He asserted that Jewish people are permitted to harvest olives, even from distant plots, to publicly demonstrate ownership and fulfill the commandment of conquering the Land of Israel. The IDF fears such religious directives could justify the illegal appropriation of Palestinian crops and exacerbate the situation in Judea and Samaria.
