Settler Violence Surges Against Palestinian Olive Harvesters in West Bank

Settler attacks against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank have escalated, targeting homes, agricultural lands, farmers, and olive harvesters during the current harvest season. These assaults, documented extensively by "Arabs 48" on Telegram, include physical violence, shootings, vehicle burnings, crop destruction, theft of agricultural equipment and livestock, and preventing farmers from accessing their land.

In a recent incident near Salfit, three Palestinians were injured when settlers attacked olive harvesters in the Qara al-Qarawa Bani Hassan area. Settlers reportedly used pepper spray and beat farmers with sticks. Activist Nazmi Al-Salman stated a large group of settlers attacked farmers in their fields, while the Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed treating three injured individuals, one of whom was beaten on the head. This follows a similar attack on November 1 where equipment was seized and roads were blocked.

Further south near Nablus, a young Palestinian man was severely injured on Thursday after being assaulted by approximately ten settlers in the Al-Dhahra area near the town of Beita. Local sources reported the settlers used sticks and knives, focusing their attack on the man's head and body, necessitating urgent hospitalization.

In the Hebron governorate, dozens of armed settlers from the Wardan outpost attacked Palestinian homes in the Wadi al-Sheikh area of Beit Ummar. They fired live ammunition at homes, damaging windows, set fire to two vehicles, destroyed crops and greenhouses, and stole a tractor. Israeli forces also entered the area during the attack, firing sound grenades and live ammunition. Similar attacks occurred in the same area on October 16 and October 6, involving gunfire and attempted arson.

Settlers also stole two tractors and a vehicle belonging to the Musafir Yatta village council near Khirbet al-Halawa in southern Hebron. Attacks were also reported in other areas, including Sebastia, northwest of Nablus, where settlers attacked two homes and damaged property.

The intensified settler violence coincides with the olive harvest, which has become a focal point for attacks on Palestinian farmers. The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission documented 219 settler attacks between October 1 and 12, with 136 directly related to the olive harvest, including physical assaults, access denial, crop theft, and tree damage. The commission also recorded 13 attacks on November 4 targeting harvesters and agricultural lands.

Palestinian information center "Ma'at" reported 15,303 Israeli violations in October, a 97% increase from September, encompassing raids, physical assaults, property destruction, and land bulldozing, alongside escalating settler attacks during the olive season. Human rights organizations warn of the consequences of this surge in settler violence, particularly against civilians and their livelihoods, citing a lack of accountability.