Palestinian Olive Harvest Threatened by Settler Violence and Israeli Restrictions

The Palestinian olive oil production is projected to drop by approximately 50% this season due to escalating settler attacks and Israeli military restrictions on farmers' access to their land. This situation is causing significant economic losses and jeopardizing the livelihoods of thousands of families in the West Bank. A report documented over 500 attacks by settlers and Israeli soldiers since the olive harvest season began, affecting around 200 Palestinian communities, primarily in the Jenin, Nablus, Salfit, and Ramallah governorates. These attacks included damaging trees, stealing crops, and preventing farmers from reaching their fields, with over 150 instances of crop theft and dozens of cases where farmers were completely barred from harvesting.

The Nablus governorate has experienced the highest number of direct attacks, resulting in damaged trees and stolen fruit, which has prevented farmers in numerous villages from harvesting their crops and rendered large areas of land unproductive. The risks are particularly acute in areas near settlements and those beyond the separation barrier, where attacks are compounded by movement and access restrictions. The Israeli military has also prohibited farmers from entering designated "state lands" for harvesting and requires prior coordination for access to private lands, adding new obstacles to the agricultural season. The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture estimates that nearly half of the cultivated areas in some governorates may be lost.

Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture estimates indicate that olive oil production will range between 10,000 and 11,000 tons this season, a nearly 50% decrease from initial projections of around 21,000 tons. These figures represent not only a reduced harvest but also a direct loss of economic revenue for thousands of Palestinian families, especially in rural areas. Reports also indicate the theft of large quantities of olives, which are then pressed in settlement facilities and their oil marketed. Cumulative direct losses for the olive sector since 2023 have reached approximately $157 million due to tree destruction, access denial, and crop confiscation.

Further highlighting the extent of the damage, the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture reported that agricultural sector losses in the West Bank amounted to about $1.2 million between October 23 and 29, attributed to attacks by the Israeli military and settlers. The ministry documented 171 direct violations affecting 64 farmers, noting that these figures are limited to accessible areas and do not represent the full extent of the damage due to security restrictions and movement difficulties. The damage included the uprooting, breaking, burning, and theft of crops from 889 ancient olive trees, with the olive sector alone losing approximately $586,870. The Hebron governorate suffered the most, with direct financial losses of $301,424, including damage to agricultural facilities and water networks, and farmers being prevented from accessing their land and harvesting crops under threat of weapons.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported 397 settler attacks in the West Bank between October 1 and 26, a record high since UN documentation began in 2006. This included 62 attacks in the last week of the monitoring period, affecting 49 Palestinian communities, with 38 directly related to the olive harvest. During the same week, 57 Palestinians, including nine children, were injured due to settler and Israeli forces' attacks; 23 were injured by settlers and 34 by Israeli forces' gunfire or actions. Of those injured, 27 sustained injuries in settler attacks, including 18 during attacks targeting olive harvesters. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had previously recorded over 160 attacks targeting the olive season in the first two weeks of October, noting that these attacks, sometimes with the protection or participation of Israeli forces, undermine Palestinian access to land and exacerbate pressures on rural communities.

These attacks have coincided with escalating religious and political rhetoric justifying the seizure of Palestinian land and crops. On October 16, Israeli Rabbi Dov Lior issued a religious ruling permitting settlers to harvest olives from Palestinian lands, based on interpretations claiming Jewish ownership of the land and viewing crop harvesting as part of "occupying the land." This ruling follows previous stances by Israeli rabbis, including the book "The King's Doctrine" by Rabbis Yitzchak Shapira and Yosef Eliyitzur, which provides religious justifications for seizing non-Jewish property during conflict. Rhetoric portraying Palestinian olive harvesting as incitement has also emerged, with some Israeli military and government officials participating. Meanwhile, solidarity activists with farmers are sometimes described as "anarchists" in some Israeli media outlets, even as attacks on olive harvesters continue. The agricultural and field data indicate that the repercussions of these attacks extend beyond the current harvest season, particularly with the targeting of ancient trees that take years to replace and the reduced ability of farmers to access their land regularly. With production declining, weekly losses exceeding $1 million, and over 500 attacks this season, the Palestinian olive sector faces a crisis that impacts the economic stability of farming families and the continuity of production amidst ongoing military restrictions and land attacks.