Settlers Attack Palestinians and Israeli Activists During Olive Harvest
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Settlers have intensified attacks on Palestinian olive farmers and Israeli activists during the current harvest season, leading to widespread olive theft, physical assaults, and prevention of access to groves. Israeli activists and even retired military officials report being labeled "anarchists" and detained by police while assisting Palestinians. International observers, including a photographer for The Washington Post and European diplomats, have also been attacked. Organizations documenting the violence state that these actions are part of a broader policy to displace Palestinians, with settlers openly boasting about the theft.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Settlers are attacking Palestinian olive farmers and Israeli activists, stealing crops and preventing harvests.
- Israeli activists and retired military officials report being labeled "anarchists" and detained by police.
- A Washington Post photographer and European diplomats were attacked while covering the olive harvest.
- Hundreds of incidents of violence and theft by settlers and soldiers against Palestinians have been documented.
- Organizations claim the violence is part of a government policy to displace Palestinians.
- Settlers are openly promoting olive theft on social media and operating their own presses.
Palestinian olive farmers are facing severe disruptions to their harvest season, with settlers and, at times, the Israeli military preventing access to groves and stealing olives. Khaled Ashtiyeh, manager of the Zeitouna olive press in Salfit, reported that production is significantly down this year, with only one production line operating sporadically compared to two running full-time in previous years. He stated that settlers are stealing olives from Palestinian trees and selling the oil at lower prices to undermine Palestinian livelihoods.
Israeli activists attempting to assist Palestinian farmers have also been targeted. Aviv Tatarsky described an incident where masked settlers attacked activists with stones and clubs in the West Bank village of Deir Istiya, injuring a Palestinian and damaging a vehicle. Another activist, a 27-year-old woman from Jerusalem, recounted being severely beaten and pepper-sprayed by masked assailants near Bethlehem while preparing an olive grove for harvest. She suffered a broken foot and knee injuries.
Retired Israeli military officials, including former Knesset member Eyal Ben-Reuven and generals Yoel Feldshu and Yiftah Spector, also reported being harassed and detained by police while assisting Palestinian farmers in Duma. They were labeled "anarchists" by settlers and police, despite their service to the country, with Feldshu being handcuffed and issued a two-week restraining order.
The violence has extended to international observers. Heidi Levine, a photographer for The Washington Post, was attacked and injured by masked individuals while covering the harvest near Ramallah, suffering fractures and requiring surgery. A delegation of European diplomats from France, Belgium, and Poland was also attacked in Taybeh, with one diplomat reportedly kicked in the head. The incidents have drawn condemnation from Israeli and European officials, and police have launched investigations.
Organizations like "Yesh Din" have documented hundreds of incidents of violence and theft by settlers and soldiers against Palestinians during the harvest period. They report widespread olive theft, with settlers openly promoting the activity on social media and operating their own olive presses. Some rabbis have issued rulings permitting the seizure of Palestinian crops, framing it as a "holy war," while others condemn it as a severe violation of Jewish law. "Yesh Din" argues that this violence and theft are part of a government policy to suppress and displace Palestinians, facilitated by cooperation between settlers and the military.
Mentioned
