Settler Attacks Surge in West Bank, Causing Over $1.3 Million in Weekly Agricultural Losses
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Settler violence in the West Bank has intensified, targeting Palestinians and their agricultural lands, leading to over $1.3 million in agricultural losses between October 29 and November 6. Attacks include assaults, property damage, and obstruction of movement. The UN reported a record number of settler attacks in October. The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture warned that these actions threaten food security and farmers' livelihoods.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Settler attacks in the West Bank have escalated, targeting Palestinians and their property.
- Palestinian agriculture suffered over $1.3 million in losses from settler attacks between Oct. 29 and Nov. 6.
- The olive sector experienced significant damage, with over $563,000 lost due to uprooted and broken trees.
- UN OCHA recorded 397 settler attacks in October, the highest monthly total since 2006.
- Settler-led attacks increased by 111.6% in October compared to September, according to official data.
- Attacks threaten Palestinian food security and farmers' ability to stay on their land.
Settler violence against Palestinians and their property has escalated across the West Bank, with attacks targeting homes, individuals, and agricultural lands, particularly during the olive harvest season. These incidents have resulted in significant and increasing losses for Palestinian agriculture due to vandalism, theft, and land destruction.
Recent attacks include settlers assaulting three young Palestinians near Salfit, and other groups attacking homes south of Hebron. In Nablus, settlers entered a home in the al-Marajem area, engaging in provocative acts. West of Ramallah, settlers stopped vehicles and obstructed movement between the towns of al-Nabi Saleh and Qibya. In Hebron, settlers damaged a home on Salam Street, and hundreds of settlers, protected by Israeli forces, forced shopkeepers in the Old City to close their businesses.
The human rights organization Al-Bader warned that these escalating attacks threaten the safety of residents, especially women and children, increasing fear and tension in affected communities.
The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture reported that between October 29 and November 6, 177 violations against 85 farming families across ten governorates resulted in losses totaling $1,374,702. These violations included land bulldozing, tree uprooting, crop theft, equipment confiscation, and structure demolition. Jenin suffered the highest losses at $528,152, followed by Ramallah ($359,106), Qalqilya ($157,918), and Hebron ($106,500).
The olive sector alone lost over $563,000 from damaged trees, with agricultural structures losing approximately $460,000. Additionally, 6.5 tons of olives were stolen, alongside losses to equipment, machinery, crops, livestock, and water sources. The ministry cautioned that these attacks not only cause seasonal damage but also undermine farmers' ability to remain on their land, threaten food security, and reduce agricultural areas due to settlement expansion.
These incidents coincide with a significant rise in settler attacks during the olive harvest. UN OCHA documented 397 attacks resulting in injuries or property damage from October 1 to 26, the highest monthly figure since 2006. Data from the Wall and Settlements Resistance Commission indicated 3,133 attacks by Israeli forces and settlers in October, with settler-led attacks increasing by 111.6% compared to September. Ramallah and al-Bireh recorded the most attacks (704), followed by Nablus (636) and Hebron (568). These attacks involved assaulting Palestinians, vandalizing property and crops, preventing farmers from accessing their land, and establishing new settlement outposts.
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