Two Foreign Activists Arrested During Olive Harvest in Hebron Hills to Be Deported

Two foreign activists, a father and son, were arrested during an uncoordinated olive harvest near the village of At-Tuwani in the Hebron Hills. According to police, the two arrived despite prior warnings and attempted to flee into a declared fire zone. Following their interrogation, authorities decided to deport them from Israel and ban their future entry.

The incident occurred Tuesday as part of a joint effort by the Judea and Samaria Police and the IDF to maintain public order during the olive harvest season and prevent friction in the area. Police stated that officers from the Hebron station and the Judea Brigade were deployed following a call for an unapproved harvest, allegedly encouraged by the organization Al-Haq, which police designated as a terror organization. Police had reportedly engaged with village residents the previous day to prevent the unauthorized activity.

Despite the warnings, several Palestinians accompanied by the two foreign activists began the harvest. When police arrived, participants attempted to escape into a restricted military fire zone. The officers arrested the two foreign activists, identified as father and son, on suspicion of illegal entry into the fire zone and for allegedly identifying with the organization. They were taken for questioning, detained, and later transferred to the Population and Immigration Authority for a hearing.

Following the hearing, the decision was made to deport both individuals that evening and prohibit their future entry into Israel. The Judea and Samaria Police emphasized their continued cooperation with the IDF and law enforcement to prevent disturbances and violence during the harvest, warning that such activities could lead to escalation and that they would prosecute offenders, including deporting foreign nationals.